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| Boscombe surf reef builders ASR Limited in liquidation | Boscombe surf reef builders ASR Limited in liquidation |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| By Adam Williams BBC News | By Adam Williams BBC News |
| The future of Europe's only artificial surf reef is in doubt after the company that built it ceased trading. | The future of Europe's only artificial surf reef is in doubt after the company that built it ceased trading. |
| New Zealand-based ASR Limited, which built Boscombe surf reef in Dorset, has been in liquidation since September, the BBC has learned. | New Zealand-based ASR Limited, which built Boscombe surf reef in Dorset, has been in liquidation since September, the BBC has learned. |
| The £3.2m reef has been out of action since May 2011 after it was damaged by a boat propeller. ASR had been due to carry out repairs in May. | The £3.2m reef has been out of action since May 2011 after it was damaged by a boat propeller. ASR had been due to carry out repairs in May. |
| Bournemouth Borough Council is pursuing an insurance claim for the damage. | Bournemouth Borough Council is pursuing an insurance claim for the damage. |
| The authority said news of ASR's liquidation was unlikely to affect its plans to repair the reef, but refused to reveal whether it had previously known ASR had ceased trading. | The authority said news of ASR's liquidation was unlikely to affect its plans to repair the reef, but refused to reveal whether it had previously known ASR had ceased trading. |
| The reef, made of 55 giant sand-filled bags 740ft (225m) out at sea, opened in November 2009 after lengthy delays and running over budget. | The reef, made of 55 giant sand-filled bags 740ft (225m) out at sea, opened in November 2009 after lengthy delays and running over budget. |
| 'An embarrassment' | 'An embarrassment' |
| It was deemed "sub-standard" by the council in a report in 2010 found it had not achieved all of its objectives. | It was deemed "sub-standard" by the council in a report in 2010 found it had not achieved all of its objectives. |
| But ASR denied the reef had failed and said it was only one of the criteria - the wave lengths - which it had not met. | But ASR denied the reef had failed and said it was only one of the criteria - the wave lengths - which it had not met. |
| Documents filed by Companies House in New Zealand revealed the firm ceased trading in July. Liquidators were appointed in September, who filed their first report last month. | Documents filed by Companies House in New Zealand revealed the firm ceased trading in July. Liquidators were appointed in September, who filed their first report last month. |
| The council is currently not listed as a known creditor while another sub-contractor from Dorset claims to be owed £30,000 by the company. | The council is currently not listed as a known creditor while another sub-contractor from Dorset claims to be owed £30,000 by the company. |
| To date, liquidators have received claims from creditors for debts of $5,996 NZ (£3,223) and outstanding tax bills of $280,284 (£150,690). | To date, liquidators have received claims from creditors for debts of $5,996 NZ (£3,223) and outstanding tax bills of $280,284 (£150,690). |
| The council has already recouped £196,000 in insurance claims relating to the damage. Previously, it has stated it will await the outcome of a second claim before deciding what to do next. | The council has already recouped £196,000 in insurance claims relating to the damage. Previously, it has stated it will await the outcome of a second claim before deciding what to do next. |
| Director for tourism Mark Smith said: "The nature of the repairs necessary do not require the specialist skills that ASR had. | Director for tourism Mark Smith said: "The nature of the repairs necessary do not require the specialist skills that ASR had. |
| "It's been made clear no additional taxpayers money will be spent enhancing the reef's performance for surfing, and that position remains unchanged." | "It's been made clear no additional taxpayers money will be spent enhancing the reef's performance for surfing, and that position remains unchanged." |
| Opponents have long-argued the reef should be demolished, including Labour borough councillor Ben Grower. | Opponents have long-argued the reef should be demolished, including Labour borough councillor Ben Grower. |
| He said: "It's an embarrassment. Nobody at the council wants to talk publicly about it and sooner or later, money will have to be stumped up to get rid of it. | He said: "It's an embarrassment. Nobody at the council wants to talk publicly about it and sooner or later, money will have to be stumped up to get rid of it. |
| "There's still signs saying it's out of action. They'd be better off replacing them with ones that say 'Sorry, it's been a waste of money'." | "There's still signs saying it's out of action. They'd be better off replacing them with ones that say 'Sorry, it's been a waste of money'." |
| 'Vital habitat' | 'Vital habitat' |
| Chartered surveyor David Weight, of Poole, credited with the reef's original concept, said he felt it could be easily maintained and modified. | |
| "I've long said a Plan B and a Plan C is needed and the option to repair the reef now appears out of the equation," he said. | "I've long said a Plan B and a Plan C is needed and the option to repair the reef now appears out of the equation," he said. |
| "The reef's base layer is still structurally sound and it could provide a vital habitat for marine life." | "The reef's base layer is still structurally sound and it could provide a vital habitat for marine life." |
| The BBC has attempted to contact ASR Limited's former director Nick Behunin for a response, but he has not yet to replied. | The BBC has attempted to contact ASR Limited's former director Nick Behunin for a response, but he has not yet to replied. |
| Former technical director Shaw Mead, who is also listed as one of ASR's three shareholders, confirmed he resigned 18 months ago. | Former technical director Shaw Mead, who is also listed as one of ASR's three shareholders, confirmed he resigned 18 months ago. |
| He is now managing director of another New Zealand-based marine consulting and research company called eCoast. | He is now managing director of another New Zealand-based marine consulting and research company called eCoast. |