An independent school has acquired exclusive rights to operate all water sports on a major reservoir in a beauty spot.

Ardingly College has acquired the lease of the activity centre at Ardingly Reservoir.

Ardingly Activity Centre, and the leasehold interest of Ardingly Reservoir, went on the market in June, for offers over £375,000.

Chris Kinsman, the former leaseholder, who developed and ran a water sports business at the site for 38 years, is retiring.

The lease for the activity centre has 17 years to run and includes exclusive rights to all water sports on the Ardingly Reservoir. The Activity Centre currently offers a range of activities through courses, clubs and hire, including sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and paddle boarding.

(Image: Savills) A recreational building, including the Black Hut Kiosk which serves drinks and snacks, is included in the lease. The activity centre has Royal Yachting Association and Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS) certification and there is further opportunity to expand.

Water sports activities on the reservoir will continue as usual for the local community and the school is planning, over time, to redevelop the current visitor facilities and extend the activities on offer.

Tom Scully, Chief Operating Officer of Ardingly College, said: “We are delighted to acquire this lease to operate the Activity Centre on the Ardingly Reservoir. As the reservoir adjoins our campus, this was an obvious acquisition for our commercial arm to make.

“For now, it will be ‘business as usual’ in terms of access to the water sports on the reservoir but we hope, in time, to improve the visitor facilities and the range of water sports on offer for everyone in the local area.”

(Image: Savills) Ben Figgis, head of Ardingly College, said: “While acquiring this Activity Centre is another useful income stream for our commercial operations, which will help us keep our fees for local families as affordable as possible, it also provides exciting future opportunities to further enhance our water sports offer for students in Ardingly’s family of schools.”

Chris Kinsman, who is retiring as the owner and director of the Ardingly Activity Centre after 38 years, said: “We are delighted that Ardingly College will be taking Ardingly Activity Centre forward into the future.

“We are very proud of the special community we have built at the centre over the past 38 years and we have worked with some amazing instructors and staff. Passion and commitment are vital for progressing the business.

“We are especially pleased that the college will be employing our chief instructor, who truly embodies this. The college’s vision for Ardingly Activity Centre is very exciting and we look forward to seeing the business grow with them.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past 38 years and are thrilled the centre will be there for the next generation to enjoy.”