The owners of Ventnor Winter Gardens have formally notified the Isle of Wight Council of their intention to sell the iconic building – triggering a 6-week period for the community to step forward with a bid under Asset of Community Value (ACV) rules.
Councillor Ed Blake, who represents Ventnor and St Lawrence and led the ACV nomination earlier this year, confirmed the news on social media earlier today (Friday).
He says that the clock is now ticking for a qualifying community group to express interest in purchasing the historic venue overlooking the Esplanade.
The Winter Gardens was officially listed as an ACV recently after concerns were raised surrounding its deteriorating condition and long-term future. That designation means the community is given first refusal should the building go up for sale, although any final purchase would need to be completed within a 6-month window.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the council has issued 19 remedial action notices to the current owners, The Hambrough Group. Many of those actions remain outstanding, with a Section 215 enforcement notice still being considered.
But the news of a potential sale changes everything.
Cllr Blake has said:
“Working with Steve Witheyman, we shall organise a public meeting as soon as possible some point next week to discuss next steps. Update on meeting to be announced very soon.”
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A date for the upcoming public meeting is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
If it wasn’t for the difficulty getting to Ventnor
with many roads closed during the year, this would
make for a gorgeous hotel with magnificent views.
How much ???
How much is the community to raise, to keep it successful in ownership
Not going to happen, the ventnor community can’t get together on anything, they are either drunk to high on drugs. The mayor is useless, he won’t do anything to help and as for blake, hopeless.
Quite agree. The busines Sharks of Ventor will be salivating with greed as we speak. Make it a community centre, like better days cafe which is for, the community.
Previous owners sold it for one pound.
Sussmilch bought it for £1, so give him £2 and he has doubled his investment in a very short time.
Those muppets at VTC could then sell Salisbury Gardens for £500K, modernise the WG and stop acting like they are a PLC – move into 1 room under the stage sphere they belong!