Hall Leys Park boat operator joins green revolution with new engines running on renewable energy

The attraction is marking its 86th year of operation in 2021 and, while the noise and smell of the petrol engines may have added to the nostalgia, some of them had been in service for nearly 60 years and were becoming expensive to maintain.

Owners Alison and John Coffey, who took over the boats in 2015, were also concerned by their environmental impact, and so began working with local authorities in 2018 to find a greener solution.

Alison explained: “We were hoping to launch the electric engines last spring, but, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we chose to stay closed the whole of last year. It was the safest thing to do for Matlock and our visitors.

“We hope to open at some point this year, as soon as we feel it is safe to do so, and it will be great to be reopening as a totally green business. Our fuel is totally renewable, generated by wind turbines and solar panels.”

She added: “We can’t wait to open again and see the familiar faces we have missed and meet many new ones.”

The project has been supported by a Peak Leader grant, a business support programme backed by the Derbyshire Economic Partnership and European Union.

Alison said: “If you are going to do something as big as this, you need to do it right.

“The grant meant we were able to get the whole project done in one go, rather than it have to be an ongoing thing.”

The new electric motors were made by Lynch Motors in Devon, which boasts a prestigious client list.

Alison said: “They provided two motors to power the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee royal barge, which we thought was pretty impressive. Only the best for Matlock.”

The park’s much-loved miniature train ‘Little David’ has also been converted to run on electricity, but Alison and John’s plans are unlikely to end there.

Alison said: “It isn’t just a business to us. The boats and train have made memories for generations of families.

“It is important to preserve what we have, nurture it and keep it going for many more years to come.”