A historic Grade II listed property in the centre of the Isle of Wight’s largest town is going to auction next month, its owner Ryde Town Council (RTC) has confirmed.
Vectis Hall, a 19th century former school building on Melville Street in Ryde, was bought by RTC for £125,000 in 2020, with the aim of bringing it back into community use and could now be sold at a loss.
Long-term project from the outset
Back in 2020, the town council said that due to the poor state of the hall, it will be a long-term project with hopes to start work within the next three to five years.
Last week, Chris Turvey, planning officer at RTC, told member of the public Jenny Wade that Vectis Hall will go to the next Clive Emson auction which concludes on 17th June 2026.
Clive Emson said Vectis Hall has a nil reserve, meaning it is guaranteed to sell to the highest bidder, regardless of how low the final bid is.
Significant budget allocated over five years
A total of £16,922 was allocated for the building in RTC’s 2026/27 budget, compared to £46,880 in the 2025/26 budget, £56,622 (2024/25), £18,580 (2023/24), £7,800 (2022/23) and £23,600 (2021/22).
Building in state of disrepair
Rob Marchant, an auctioneer at Clive Emson, said that in recent times, the hall has fallen into a ‘state of disrepair’ and now requires a programme of significant ‘upgrading and refurbishment’.
He said,
“Built in 1812 and reputedly Ryde’s first free school, The Vectis Hall has since gone on to be utilised in a number of different guises including a community hall.
“Dance scenes from the 1973 classic British Film That’ll Be The Day starring Ringo Starr and David Essex were filmed in the main hall.
“The commercial property includes a former caretaker/manager’s flat.
“It is considered the Vectis Hall could suit a wide range of future potential uses, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
