Southern Water has announced that the pumping station on Ventnor’s seafront will be closed to the public for the summer season.
The closure follows a recent structural survey, which, Southern Water say, highlighted a number of areas of safety concerns.
Essential works on the pumping station structure will be carried out this season, including repairing and replacing the handrails and the lights on the steps.
Deck chairs and ice creams?
It’s possible the second part of the announcement from Southern Water may cause concern for some on the seafront.
Southern Water say that from next summer they’re looking to commercialise the bandstand, just meters away from the beach.
They say,
However, this also means that summer 2019 will present a fantastic opportunity for a local business to take on this commercial opportunity in a prime location on Ventnor seafront.
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to have an ice-cream parlour on the beach, or to start a deckchair business? Southern Water will be looking for some new tenants once the renovation is complete, so if you’re interested in becoming part of the fabric of Ventnor’s seafront, please contact ….
Strong history on the beach
For many decades the Blake family has operated on the beach, renting out deckchairs, windbreaks, beach huts and more recently running a kiosk serving ice creams etc.
However, generations of the same family have offered more than just decks chair hire etc. With their roots as longshoremen they have guarded over the beach and all who use it, working with others to keep it clean and safe.
Impact on Ventnor Fringe?
Often referred to as ‘Ventnor bandstand’ (not to be mistaken with the one in the Park which does hosts live music on every Sunday), the pumping station structure has for the last seven years hosted the Ventnor Fringe Festival.
For one week during August, the Fringe have taken over the bandstand, installing a bar upstairs, with acoustic performances and DJ sets, as well as being one of the best places to watch the annual firework display on the night of the Carnival.
With the planned closure, Fringe organisers may need to look for a new home for their bar events this year. They are ever-resourceful and creative so we’re sure they’ll find a great alternative.
Fringe working with Southern Water
On Thursday afternoon, Jack Whitewood from Ventnor Fringe told OnTheWight,
“The Ventnor Fringe has always worked to transform under-used and often unknown spaces and re-imagine them for the Festival, creating numerous pop up venues and spaces each year.
“For the past seven years the Ventnor Bandstand (Harbour) has been one of our most iconic spaces, hosting The Observatory Bar along with lots of live music, DJ’s, street theatre and installations, bringing new life to the building.
“Unfortunately the structure of the raised bandstand has deteriorated significantly over the years and is in need of significant repair. It is unfortunate that this has to happen during the peak summer season but clearly we are in agreement over the need to ensure public safety.
“We are working closely with Southern Water to ensure the Ventnor Fringe will still be able to use the Harbour during the week of the Festival, working around the necessary repairs and we’ll be announcing the full programme for events for the space very soon.”
Article edit
24.5.2018 – Statement from Ventnor Fringe added.
Image: © Nick Edwards
