Wednesday, August 27, 2025
HomeLocal NewsFerry firm agrees deal to sell off HQ to government

Ferry firm agrees deal to sell off HQ to government

A ferry firm’s headquarters is set to be bought by the Home Office, KentOnline can reveal.

The building, which has been occupied by P&O Ferries in Dover for 38 years, will still be used as an office and administrative building for the government department.

P&O Ferries has sold its headquarters with the building set to be taken over by the Home Office
P&O Ferries has sold its headquarters with the building set to be taken over by the Home Office

It is understood the building will not be used for accommodation or relating to the Home Office work on dealing with small boat arrivals when they are brought to shore in the port.

The UK’s busiest international ferry operator has occupied the Channel House building in Dover since 1987.

But in April, it was revealed that the headquarters at Channel View Road, nicknamed The Wedding Cake, was going on the market.

P&O Ferries has now accepted an offer, it has been confirmed.

The company has had a satellite office in Woking, Surrey, for two years but intends to maintain a strong presence in Kent, although details of the company’s plans for a new home have not been revealed.

The sale is not expected to lead to changes in staffing numbers for the ferry firm.

It follows an ongoing review into the company’s property needs for its current and future operations at the Port of Dover and around the country.

The freehold of the three-acre property was offered for sale at £4.5 million, with annual business rates of £294,840 also set.

The offer included the site’s 25,952sq ft warehouse and 298 parking spaces, but a purchase price has not been disclosed by either party.

The building was constructed in 1982 as Enterprise House for fellow ferry operator Townsend Thoresen, whose parent company, European Ferries, was bought by P&O in 1985.

P&O moved to the site in October 1987, where it has remained ever since.

It is nicknamed The Wedding Cake by locals because of its white, layered appearance.

Channel House overlooks the Port of Dover from its site in Channel View Road
Channel House overlooks the Port of Dover from its site in Channel View Road

The modernist design was drawn by Dover-based architects Dudley Marsh & Co.

The new building replaced the ferry operators’ use of several properties in Dover, including Camden Crescent, next to the seafront.

New digital border checks for cross-Channel passengers are due to be introduced this autumn.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is anticipated to begin in October, following an announcement by the European Union.

The new scheme includes biometric scans and checks and is expected to add time to passport checks when travelling to the continent.

The Port of Dover has been preparing by adding capacity and land at the Western Docks to carry out the new-style border checks.

The Port of Dover is Britain’s busiest port. Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA
The Port of Dover is Britain’s busiest port. Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA

The long-awaited system, using fingerprint technology and facial recognition, has already been delayed several times.

Meanwhile, Dover remains at the centre of the debate around small boat crossings.

By Tuesday, more than 50,000 people had arrived in the UK since the Labour government took control 13 months ago.

Home Office figures show a total of 1,593 people arriving in 27 small boats between August 6 and 11.

Further details about the nature of the Home Office’s role and requirements for the building have not been disclosed by the government.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

Check out our best-rated gambling sites list featuring casinos not on Gamstop available in the UK.