The dome structure from the remnants of the Gaiety Arcade on Ventnor’s seafront have been taken down and removed from the site.
On 9th May 2022 News OnTheWight reported about demolition work beginning at the site. However, less than a month later a huge fire broke out and pretty-much destroyed all that remained (see videos from inside the site).
Following the fire, the Police ruled out arson and not a great deal has happened on the site until recently.
Being assessed by local experts
Having been damaged in the fire, the dome iron structure has now been dismantled and sent to local specialists.
They’ll test the strength and report back as to whether it can be used in the planned reconstruction.
Saving dome an integral part of design
Following the fire in 2022, the family told News OnTheWight,
“Planning has been lengthy, and complex, for many reasons – beyond just the site and building – and most recently our time has been focused on saving the dome which was an integral part of our design to restore the Gaiety to its former glory and preserve such an historic feature of the Esplanade.
“To see what has happened is devastating.”
The artist’s impression below shows the plan take the Gaiety back to its original glory.
We’ll let you know once we hear more. See News OnTheWight’s archive relating to The Gaiety Ventnor.
