The Bandstand, a popular Sandown eatery with sea views over The Bay, has announced that it has temporarily closed its doors.
The restaurant on Culver Parade was open as recently as last week but has since closed for the foreseeable future due to ‘health reasons’.
Purchased from the Isle of Wight Council in 2013, the premises underwent a thorough renovation before opening to customers in April 2015.
Whilst this news may come as a shock to some, others have been wondering about the future of the business since it was announced that the owners were looking to sell up back in November 2021.
The premises remains for sale – with offers invited in the region of £150,000 for the business, goodwill, fixtures and fittings, simultaneous with a lease of the premises being granted at £34,500 per annum.
In a statement released on their website, The Bandstand has said:
“Sadly, due to health reasons, we are temporarily closed. Please check back on our website soon for a re-opening date.”
Who actually owns this business nowadays
£34500 for the lease, Bloody hell, How can you possibly survive with those overheads? Plus all the other costs. I often notice businesses for sale on the island and think, how can anyone make a go of it with the rents etc demanded ? Its so sad.
Good luck with that asking price for the lease plus £150,000. Profit margins are severely squeezed these days.
Six hundred pounds a week plus is needed to be taken JUST to pay the lease.
After you have stumped up £150k
Then you have to pay unreliable staff with covid etc.
Then you have to allow for allergenic and vegans, and other odd intolerances or be sued if wrongly served.
And the steep steps are an just an accident waiting for ‘where there’s a blame there’s a claim’ lawyer case to occur.
Then all food has to be dumped if not sold and out of date. so gaining enough money to cover all this, along with rising energy, wages, insurance, the ‘sue’ culture we now have, and troublesome guests. I am OUT on this one.
Likely the owners illness is stress related.
Not enough seating to cover the stress and costs imo.
Unfortunately nowdays the only businesses who can afford to
operate are the likes of McDonalds, Costa, Wetherspoons and Premier Inns etc
Many family owned businesses are struggling to make ends meet.
cheery soul
The owner wants £34,500 per year as a lease. I wouldn’t be too stressed if I had that kind of money coming in for doing nothing as a nice pension. They probably bought this place for a song from the council.
Oh shut up , it’s a great place , and very much missed if it closed down , so negative
Never make the mistake of confusing negativity with those speaking the truth.
Too many dreamers around.
And don’t forget the Wightbid – a tourism tax levied on hospitality businesses!!!!!! (yet the supermarkets don’t have to pay it)
A tax on small businesses which seems to only be used to benefit Robin Hill, Blackgang, Needles and Tapnell farm, odd isn’t it that the first three are apparently owned by the same people.
Wishing all well. It’s a great place to eat or for just a coffee. Hope it’s back open very soon.
Grow up, ‘just for a coffee. Take 200 cup fulls JUST to pay for the lease each week.
Hence the owners getting some other mug to take it on.
Ain’t going pay, too small to cover outgoings by far.