Ryde Town Council voted last night to go ahead with the purchase of Ryde Town Hall (also known Ryde Theatre).
The vote saw nine councillors vote in favour, three against, with three abstentions and one councillor (Ian Dore) absent. The Mayor of Ryde, Cllr Michael Lilley, voted against the purchase, as did Ian Stephens and Les Kirkby. Councillors Lisa Carter, Georgie Carter and Jo Park all abstained.
There were concerns about the purchase price and the risk of taking the property on.
Public asset sold
Ryde Town Hall was once a public asset, but the Conservative Isle of Wight council sold the property in 2013 to Joe Gladdis of Phantom Productions.
At the time Joe told News OnTheWight,
“I am working with some very well know promoters and event organisers to really make the theatre something special with regards to bringing big names over the water.”
The venue has never reopened and has been the subject of vandalism over the last few years.
“Rival offer”
Ryde Town council has been in discussion with the owner for the last two years, but recently he told them there was another bidder interested in premises, and gave RTC a deadline to make an offer by the end of July
It’s now thought the other interested party is a property developer.
Stanbridge: “Incredible news”
Isle of Wight musician and long-standing supporter of the venue, Rick Stanbridge said after the meeting,
“Incredible news that Ryde Town council have voted to purchase Ryde theatre. A priceless asset to make Ryde a true town again for generations to come.”
Lilley: Needs our ducks in a row
Michael Lilley this morning told News OnTheWight:
“I voted against not because I am against purchasing the Town Hall. I totally support the democratic process and decision.
“It was a head and heart decision and my heart was with purchasing the Town Hall but head said we need more time to work on the proposal and be sure we have all the finance in place. I don’t think our ducks are yet in a row.
“I felt I needed to stand by our hard working staff team who will try to make this work but asked for more time to work on the proposal.
“The decision is not final and the working group has to come back to the Full Council for final decision. I will with the Town Clerk make sure before any final decision our ducks are definitely in a row.”
Potential grants for restoration
Cllr Phil Jordan has been working for the last two years on the project. He applied to the Lottery Heritage Fund for £7m funding to restore the building, but was turned down, party due to the fact the RTC did not own the building.
He said yesterday that he believed the project could be sustainable, despite what has been referred to as a pessimistic report from the Hampshire County Council’s Property Services.
Previous vote to save Ryde Town Hall and Theatre
The council voted last November to agree a three-year lease of the building with an option to buy it.
At the time, Cllr Lilley, said,
“It’s important for our town and community that we do all we can to preserve our heritage and historic buildings and this latest agreement safeguards the future of another important building in Ryde.
“RTC is fast becoming a can-do council and I am delighted we continue to serve the community and our town in a very positive and proactive way.”
Dore: Close family bereavement
Cllr Ian Dore, who was unable to attend the meeting explained his absence,
“It was most regretful that I couldn’t attend what was such an important
meeting, about a venue that has given me great pleasure in the past and
is of such historical importance.“I was at a meeting regarding my late Aunty’s Funeral, that had been scheduled in the diary and because of those that were involved; could not be moved for various logistical and personal reasons. It is regretful but that’s is the sad situation.
“As you will see earlier in the month, Cllr Lilley gave my apologies for not attending the Full Council as my Aunty had only just passed away.
“I am her only family her on the Island and a lot has fallen to me to sort out. As bereavement and the grief process unfolds, in with that comes all the arrangements and meetings that have to be held. Regretfully, one fell on that particular date.”
He went on to add,
“First of all the councillors and officers have put so much time and effort into this because 1) they know what it means to the people of Ryde and 2) because of it being sold in the first place!
“That act was morally and culturally wrong. In terms of a decision, my heart was saying the Theatre is part of our culture, such an icon of Ryde and at one point, the backbone to some of the greatest live acts and events we’ve ever seen. With my sensible head on though, I was struggling to see the numbers stack up and the report does not make for pleasant reading with phrases such as ‘not commercially viable’ and ‘not considered to be a financially viable option’.
“When it comes to committing tax payers money, it has to be in my eyes at least, with as minimal risk as possible and with the Theatre, you are looking at massive numbers. Of course one would have had to listen to debate on the matter, but being frank, given the detailed report and the professional advice offered, had I been there I would have been leaning quite heavily towards voting against it at this time. I couldn’t see any other responsible option.
“What I would like to see is this revisited with more work on the proposal and importantly, a respectable level of funding being in place; before committing to any purchase.”
Article edit
9am 15th Jul 2021 – Comment by RS added
9:26 15th Jul 2021 – Added ML quote and updated excerpt
11.50am 15th Jul 2021 – Added details of councillors who abstained
12.33pm 15th Jul 2021 – Comment by ID added
12.28pm 15th Jul 2021 – Further comment by ID added
