Billionaire Joe Lewis has been accused of blocking the sea view for holidaymakers after parking his £200 million super yacht in front of two family resorts. The former Spurs owner, worth a reported $7 billion, has angered locals and tourists by leaving his 98.4m floating home, named Aviva, off the Devon coast. Some say the vessel, built for the investor in 2017, has been sheltering behind Plymouth breakwater since arriving from Gibraltar during the summer holidays. It was pictured there across the Bank Holiday weekend, but not all onlookers were pleased to see it dominating the coastal views, with some calling it an eyesore. One tourist said it was "out of place" in a family resort area and belongs in the rich playground of Monaco.
Sandra Hunter, 52, from Bridgwater, Somerset, said: "Why does he feel that he has to park up outside of a place normal people wish to go on holiday for the bank holiday? These yachts belong in Monaco not off the quiet Devon coastline. It was very strange to see it quite honestly. I hope he takes it to the Mediterranean next year!"
The super yacht was pictured on Bank Holiday Monday around the Bovisands, Jennycliff and Staddon Heights area in Plymouth Sound. The area is next to two holiday parks, Bovisands Lodge Holiday Park, which features static caravans, and Cedar Park, which has a number of small holiday homes.
Sandra added: "I've been coming down to this area of Devon for many years. I find Jennycliffe and Bovisands to be one of the most beautiful spots in the area and is a real hidden gem in Devon. Me and my husband always make a point of coming down for the bank holiday weekend – usually stay for three or four nights in the caravan. One of the reasons we always come here is for the panoramic views out to sea. This trip has been hampered though by a billionaire who has decided to park his mega yacht just off the cove. It was disappointing as it really blocked the views. He has the money to go wherever he wants."
Lewis, whose $7 billion comes from his Tavistock Group investment portfolio, was the majority owner of ENIC Group until 2022, which is the majority shareholder of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Launched in 2017, the Aviva is registered to the Cayman Islands and was designed by Reymond Langton. It was built for the billionaire by Lemwerder-based German builder Abeking & Rasmussen.
Devon Locals Hit Out as Billionaire’s £200m Super Yacht Blocks Views