The Georgian Group has put Ryde Town Hall on their Top 10 Heritage At Risk List for 2023.
The list, which was unveiled on 13th December, includes a Cornish manor house, two unique structures in London and two Grade II-listed former schools, one of which is on a World Heritage Site.
Empty since 2010
After Ryde Town Hall’s closure in 2010 it was sold to a private developer, but remains empty to this day.
In November 2021, Friends of Ryde Town Hall (FORTH) was launched to help build public support for the restoration of the building.
The Ryde Town Hall Trust was formed in May this year and is currently exploring a range of purchase options. Once the Trust owns the building, it will be in a position to apply for national grant funding to refurbish it.
Barker: Ryde Town Hall needs our urgent attention
FORTH Chair Zoe Barker said,
“As the year draws to a close, this is a timely reminder that Ryde Town Hall needs our urgent attention.
“The whole community – local government, the arts, culture, business and residents – must be invited into the process of developing the Town Hall project.
“Inclusivity and transparency will be key to success.
“We need to see major steps taken in 2024 to get this much-loved civic building back into the community.”
The Georgian Group is the national authority on Georgian architecture (1700-1837) and each year highlights the plight of neglected and at risk Georgian buildings around the UK.
You can find more details on the Georgian Group, including the Top 10 List on their website.
News shared by Zoe on behalf of Friends of Ryde Town Hall. Ed
