I set up the UK's only inland hovercraft business after being hit by a car

A retired NHS worker has created the only inland-piloted hovercraft service in the country. Kiyth Fotitt, of Newark, has been working to make his dream come true for years and officially launched Newark LoKiy Hoverflights Ltd on Monday, April 1.

Despite the recent bad weather, the 66-year-old, who is the company's owner, director and pilot, has already carried over 100 people on hovercraft trips in just five days of operation. Kiyth has overcome obstacle after obstacle to get to this point, including his recovery after being hit by a car and working in the NHS during the pandemic.

He said: "We started officially on April 1, and it wasn't an April Fools as it was after dinner. It's a project that I started to develop about six years ago but sadly before I got the hovercraft, for which I had paid an upfront charge of £24,000, I got run over as a pedestrian in Newark and I couldn't work for the best part of six months.

"Then the same year, in 2019, the manufacturer of the hovercraft had gone into liquidation. Then the spread of coronavirus strangled the world and I worked in the NHS, so I spent three months on the front line at Kings Mill."

Kiyth was a healthcare assistant at Newark Hospital for 14 years and also spent 13 years in recreation management. In addition to this, the pensioner also ran his own taxi service for 19 years, has a black belt in Ninjutsu is a former lifeguard with open water experience and has years of nautical expertise in power boating.

Following the lockdown, Kiyth's hovercraft idea was put on the backburner whilst he worked through the pandemic. He finally retired in May 2023 after he felt "enough was enough." Kiyth explained: "I was doing long shifts day in and day out six days a week."

After retiring Kiyth was able to dedicate his time to creating the hovercraft business and purchasing one of the vehicles, which cost around £30,000.

When asked how he got the idea of moving to the hovercraft industry, Kiyth explained that he was watching TV one night and there was a hovercraft segment on How It's Made. He said it was a "eureka moment" and now the company is up and running, he is looking forward to getting out in the fresh air and "making people smile."

Currently, the hovercraft can operate on two big lakes at Holme Pierrepont, but Kiyth hopes to also offer sessions at Sutton Reservoir if he receives permission. There are also several land-based options available in Newark, including at Riverside Park, Highfields School, Magnus Academy, and the Newark Showground.

Kiyth added: "To my knowledge, I'm the only inland piloted hovercraft service." The price varies depending on whether you want to be on the water or land, and if you're an adult or child, but prices range from £10-£30 a person.

The hovercraft can take up to three adults or two adults and two children at a time as passengers.