Britain’s smallest large shipyard is to set sail again. Appledore in North Devon, which was closed down last year amid a political row with Gavin Williamson when he was defence secretary, has been bought by the owner of Harland & Wolff. Infrastrata — a company valued on Aim, London’s junior stock market, at only £24 million — has bought the Appledore yard for £7 million from Langham Industries, its long-time private owner, after Babcock, the military services group that had been leasing and operating the facility, was forced to shut up shop when Mr Williamson refused to give it any more Ministry of Defence work. The deal opens up a second maritime front for Infrastrata, which previously was known as Portland Gas. Last autumn it

Source: The Times August 25, 2020 16:07 UTC