Given the ongoing concern within the local community about the future of Ventnor Winter Gardens, OnTheWight felt it might be worthwhile providing access to some of the many documents relating to the sale, details of the work that had been carried out more than ten years ago, and the situation with the buy-back option.
The latter has been raised many times by residents, unclear of why there is no longer an option to buy back the landmark building.
Tender process
The premises, which was previously owned by Isle of Wight council, was sold to Wight House Limited, the company owned by Harmbrough owner, Kevin Sussmilch, for £1 in January 2013.
This followed a tender process that saw two other groups also bidding for the Freehold: One was a community-led group, the other was a commercial bid by a pair of businessmen who have each gone onto create successful businesses in the town.
Sold for £1
The Winter Gardens was sold by the former Conservative administration of the council, around the same time they also sold the 125 year lease of Ventnor Botanic Garden for £1 to an American businessman (through a Community Interest Company).
It was estimated at the time, that repairs to the roof of the Winter Gardens and other general maintenance needed was in excess of £650,000, hence the council’s wish to offload the asset.
The Delegated Decision
In August 2011 a Delegated Decision Report was issued, to agree to the freehold disposal of Ventnor Winter Gardens to the selected preferred bidder, what was then known as Robert Thompson’s Hambrough Group (RTHG). Robert worked as head chef at the restaurant and was placed front and centre of the beauty parade (ie. the tender process).
As was evident by the name on the contract of sale, Wight House Limited (a now dormant company), Robert had no ownership of the property and later left the employ of the Hambrough Group. As his own boss, Robert has since been awarded Best New UK Restaurant (2024 for RT Grill and Cafe) and was this year awarded Best UK Chef.
The contract of sale
In October 2012 the contract of sale was signed.
The Land Registry Transfer
The official Land Registry Transfer form shows maps of the premises and details of ownership transfer.
The Option Agreement
In January 2013 the Option Agreement was signed. Again, between Wight House Limited and Isle of Wight Council. The document outlined the buy-back agreement.
Expiry of the buy-back option
As reported by OnTheWight in December 2014, the Property Disposal And Capital Programme Subcommittee, noted that:
The council is unable to exercise its option to purchase Ventnor Winter Gardens under the terms of the sale agreement on the basis that works to the building have been substantially completed.
It referenced this report, which set out the details of the buy-back option.
Appendix 2 Summary of Proposed Works to the Existing Building
This document sets out the work that was expected to take place.
Appendix 3 Summary of Works Completed – Assessed by Isle of Wight Council
This is a key document in relation to recent discussions, as it sets out all the works that were carried out by the new owner since the sale of the Ventnor Winter Gardens.
Kevin Sussmilch indicated that these works, as well as structural and architectural fees were in the region of £1.2million.
In November 2014, Stewart Smith the Condition Surveyor for Isle of Wight Council confirmed the following actions had been carried out.
- Three number elevations, South, East and West, have been repaired and redecorated to a large extent. Existing cracks to the render have been repaired and repainted over, and from a comparison inspection internally, these cracks appear to be to the render finish and not to the main structure. However, due to the exposure of the South and East elevations, this piece of work will need re-doing in the next six months or thereabouts.
- All previously broken glazing to these elevations has been replaced, and related window frames repaired as necessary.
- An existing roof leak and resulting damaged decoration internally and externally to the staircase tower has been resolved with the replacement of the roof finish and redecoration accordingly. However, due to the poor detailing of the original design, I expect this will be a recurring issue that will need regular maintenance in the future.
- The ground floor restaurant appears to be largely complete, including a bar, kitchen,preparation kitchen and leads onto an outside terrace that with seating areas.
- The first floor restaurant is in the process of completion, which currently has new bar area, stripped and renovated walls, a new carpet, and lighting upgrades. The external terrace requires completion, and is awaiting a new railing system to be installed before further works to the area can be carried out.
- Following large volume water ingress as a result of a damaged and partially collapsed roof, the auditorium has received substantial renovation works. The roof has been repaired, and the wood floor has been lifted, dried and re-laid at significant cost. The walls have been dried and repainted – although there is currently a lingering slight smell of damp which will dissipate through time and further drying and airing of the area.
- The lighting system in the auditorium has been replaced and upgraded.
- The entrance foyer has been substantially renovated, with a hole in the floor repaired, new carpet throughout as well as redecoration of the walls.
- The existing reception area, box-office and cloakroom have been improved.However, their current location remains as existing and not as shown in the proposed floorplans of Planning Application P/01802/11, TCP/14651/C. However, I am of the understanding this work, as well as raising the existing floor levels in this area, will be undertaken once works to the proposed extensions and reconfiguration starts.
Many of these actions carried out in 2013-14 are remedial actions that the council is insisting happen again now, ten+ years later.
Appendix 4 Summary of Works Completed – Assessed by the Owner
This document sets out the works the owner states have been completed.
You can learn more about the history of the Ventnor Winter Gardens by visiting the OnTheWight archive (it contains almost 100 articles).
Thanks to Andrew for the inspiration to create this article.
