A community meeting is being organised to rally support and develop an action plan to save the iconic Ventnor Winter Gardens, amid ongoing concerns over the future of the seafront venue.
Steve Witheyman is leading the initiative through the newly formed Save Ventnor Winter Gardens Action Group. He has called for a public gathering to take place on Friday 16th May, between 18:00 and 20:00, at the Better Days Café in Ventnor.
The aim of the meeting is to move beyond discussion and begin coordinating practical steps to preserve the much-loved building, which has stood empty and deteriorating despite previous efforts and public attention.
Steve has said:
“After all the outcry and recent publicity, still nothing has seemingly happened concerning this iconic building.
“Time to stop talking and take action.”
Local councillors will be invited to attend and contribute their views. All residents and supporters of the cause are welcome to join in person or show support online. Organisers say anyone unable to attend can still be kept updated on the discussions and outcomes.
Should attendance exceed expectations, an alternative venue may be considered to accommodate larger numbers.
The Ventnor Winter Gardens has been a defining feature of the Isle of Wight’s southern coastline for decades, but has become a growing concern due to its declining condition and stalled redevelopment efforts. Community interest has surged recently, prompting renewed calls for intervention.
More information about the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1213637427122095/.
As I understand it this property is privately owned having been sold by the council for the bargain price of one pound, what does this pressure group hope to see happen, do they want the council to buy it back probably adding millions to the asking price, do they want it back in local authority ownership with the never ending and continuous bills for the council. Seems this group wants some form of action, not sure what as they are very short on detail but it should not fall on the council to fund it.
That’s the idea of the meeting. Durr
Why hold a meetig when it has nothing to do with you, its like holding a meeting outside my house, that I own because you do not like what I have or have not done with it. Be honest, you asking the council to put pressure on the owners to buy it back as if the council had any money in the first place.
None of that makes sense. Just opinion with no validity
Another rundown derelict eyesore, such a shame
it was once a beautiful building.
Hope they save the Gardens great Saturday nights in fifty’s and early sixty’s draped suits Italian suits and wrinkle pickers
Better days, nowdays split jean’s or skirts up their
****
We had style back then, the good old days.
I hope they save the winter gardens great memories of Saturday night dancing in fifty’s used to be full house
I really can’t see what anyone could do with it. To preserve it as is would simply be a money pit, and bringing it back into use would never make a profit. Tourist trade is down everywhere, few people alive today appreciate seaside theatre and I doubt anyone wants a nightly rave venue there. The few decent restaurants in the town only survive because they are smaller, with fewer overheads than the costs of running a building of that size. The only use that could cover the costs of refurbishments would be apartments, and not holiday ones. Sad, but an indictment of our times.
You are completely wrong. There have been many other instances where iconic buildings have attracted more visitors to towns, plus it’s a multi-use venue. Yes, it will need investment but isn’t that the point? Short-termism and building yet more apartments and holiday homes actually destroys towns rather than nurture them