Exciting new plans have been revealed to transform the former ice rink in Ryde into a destination distillery complete with a bar and restaurant.
The team behind the world-famous Mermaid Gin have submitted a planning application to the Isle of Wight Council to rejuvenate the derelict Esplanade site into the ‘Mermaid Centre’, some 7 years after the doors closed to the once-popular ice rink.
Island Echo asked Isle of Wight Distillery quite some time ago whether they were taking over the former Planet Ice arena, to which we were told ‘no’ – but it seems that we were right all along…
Under the plans, the ice rink building will be retained in its existing form externally but with curtain walling and glazing fully refurbished. Inside will be completely transformed to boast a hospitality and customer experience area and a shop, alongside the distillery itself. On the 1st floor, there will be a new restaurant with views over the Solent, alongside offices.
Isle of Wight Distillery hopes the move to the former Ryde Arena will consolidate its operations and provide the potential for future expansion, at the same time raising its profile and enhancing Ryde seafront as a visitor destination. The consolidation will see operations move from Pondwell and sites in Ryde. It’s unknown what will happen to The Wishingwell site at Pondwell.
The new premises will be similar to the Bombay Sapphire visitor centre based in Whitchurch, Hampshire and could allow the company to increase its workforce to 100 employees.
It’s said that the new distillery would facilitate an increase in output from 30,000 9-litre cases a year to 100,000 cases – that’s a 3x growth from 400,000 bottles to 1.2million bottles.
Gin over ice, fine combination
This is a ridiculous proposal! They can’t change a leisure site into an industrial unit.
Visitors will also be very confused by the name “Mermaid Centre” –
“Mummy, mummy can I go to the Mermaid Centre to see the mermaids?”
“No, not until you are 18 and on the booze darling”.
No. What we need is an Aldi or Lidl.
A dreadful use for such a prime recreational site. Isle of Wight Council should reject these proposals – it should be preserved as the location for leisure not for alcohol production
Just what Ryde needs – more drunks on street at night. How come they have submitted plans?. Thought building was not available?. Should be brought back to its glory as Ice Rink for community of Ryde and the Island as well as tourists. A p-ss up house for
wealthy really helps our young – not.
hope there will be a lift up to the 1st floor for disable customers
It’s nice to see something happening to the building, but the building was viable as an ice rink. It encouraged kids into sport instead of being sat in front of a computer game or stuck on a street corner. I for one remember the endless hours spent there as a parent to a member of the ice skating team but maybe that’s not as important as money.
It certainly is an Isle of Wight success story which is great, but would have preferred something for kids since there isn’t a lot for teenagers.
Yes this is an amazing idea. I hope this happens. Your company is amazing, it’s only matter of time before you expand. The thought of another “super market” on this site is painful and beyond belief. What a great site for a great company. Thanks for supporting the boys on their row across the Atlantic as well.
Your quite clearly not well. Which “alkie” as you put it from the isle of Wight gets on a bus and travels to pondwell to purchase a bottle of gin. #muppet
They’re doing well for themselves then aren’t they!?
Why can’t they put some mk ey into the youth population who have had their rink taken away from them? Bit selfish aye
A successful business? We can’t have that can we.
They are doing fine where they are.
Not the point I was making at all.
Great idea I hope it will be a fantastic success. An exciting visitor attraction for Ryde.
An M&S would be better.
Who wants another Booze related business!
M&S sell alcohol in case you haven’t noticed !!!!!
And sweets full of sugar !!!!!
Yes just what the kids of Ryde need. How very disapointing.
More available booze rather than something constructive to keep youths occupied and off the streets? How sad
They won’t be able to afford Mermaid Gin prices!!
We need something for youths, they have nothing. We had youth clubs so why not turn it into a youth club for different age teens.