There were some heated exchanges at the Winter Gardens last night as the Ventnor Town Council held their TC, Plans and Winter Gardens Management Committee meetings.
We have a great deal to report from the meetings, but start with some concerning issues brought up by Cllr Graham Perks.
During the Plans Committee, Cllr Perks stated that he had been approached by two local business people during the day who raised the following concerns.
Referring to the Ocean Blue Quay cafe on the Eastern Esplanade, he said he’d been told …
“They haven’t got their license down there, but they were selling drinks down there on Saturday”
Although this wasn’t mentioned during the meeting (members of the public are not permitted to interrupt discussions), we understand that a private party was being held at the premises on Saturday and that it was not open to the public.
Cllr Perks went on to say that “they were told that the people that have taken over catering told members of the public that after 3pm no children were allowed to use the paddling pool.”
This is obviously a ludicrous suggestion and one we hope the Parks, Beaches and Countryside Manager can confirm as nonsense. The paddling pool is a public area and not under the control of the lease holders of the adjacent development.
Cllr Perks continued adding that he had not been able to verify any of these statements, but that “The Strevens’ were told when the they took the lease on – there was to be no sub-letting, but have evidently sub-let to the caterers there now.”
Cllr Weslford said he had a copy of the contract and would, in his capacity as a County Councillor take a look and raise the matter at County level if needed.
Glasses by the paddling pool?
Concerns were also raised that drinks served in glasses by the paddling pool is a health and safety risk for anyone using the paddling pool. Cllr Welsford replied that this was something he had already raised.
This is a valid point, although one can imagine it would very pleasant to sit outside the restaurant with a glass of chilled wine, the risk to people moving over to the paddling pool area and glasses being broken is possible quite high and one not considered by the authorities.
Vandalism of the new toilets
Although this wasn’t discussed at the VTC, it is connected to the subject. It was reported on the VB forum at the weekend that some vandalism had taken place in the ladies lavs on the Eastern Esplanade. Toilet paper had been removed from the holders, stuffed down sink plug holes, scattered across the floor and piled into the toilet bowls.
One advantage of the restaurant being open in the evenings is perhaps that this kind of behaviour is less likely to occur in future – hopefully.
