A community grants programme, better town centre facilities, support for Ryde businesses, a skateboard park and bringing prominent empty buildings – including the old town hall – back into public use are included in a bold new vision announced by Ryde Neighbourhood Board.
The vision has been developed by the Ryde Neighbourhood Board in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council and Ryde Town Council, following engagement with local residents, community groups and businesses. Its focus is simple: making Ryde a better place to live, work and visit.
Ryde has been selected as part of the Government’s Pride in Place programme, which will invest £5billion across 244 towns nationally, with Ryde receiving £19.5million over a 10-year period. The programme aims to improve health and wellbeing, reduce anti-social behaviour, support local economies and give communities a stronger voice over our local priorities.
Ryde’s inclusion reflects both the challenges the town faces – including deprivation, skills gaps and health inequalities – and the opportunities it has to enable long-term growth with this targeted investment. Current data shows that over 25% of children in Ryde live in low-income households, educational attainment is below the national average, and the town experiences above-average crime and economic inactivity. Addressing these underlying issues is central to the vision.
The vision sets out plans to refresh and invest in the town centre and seafront, improve access to jobs and training, enhance community facilities and green spaces, and tackle health and wellbeing inequalities over the coming decade. However, the plan also recognises that delivery will require careful prioritisation, with some major regeneration projects – such as Ryde Town Hall – needing additional funding support to avoid exhausting the available budget.
Early ideas already include:
- Safer and more accessible public spaces
- Improved access around the town and along the Esplanade
- Skills and training opportunities for local people, including apprenticeships and new enterprise hubs
- Bringing Ryde Town Hall back into public use as a cultural and community venue
- Public realm improvements such as benches, toilets, signage and disabled access
- Enhanced safety and security measures in areas affected by anti-social behaviour
- Better access to the beachfront and investment in green and recreational spaces
- Targeted support for young people and older residents, including mentoring, transport schemes and social inclusion projects
- Small grants to support community-led projects (£100,000 per year for 5 years)
- Improved sports and recreational facilities, including a modern skatepark
The vision also includes a commitment to restoring derelict or underused buildings, with new tools such as rental auctions and potential use of Compulsory Purchase Orders being explored where voluntary approaches fail. The aim is to break cycles of vacancy and bring prominent sites back into productive use.
To support delivery, the Ryde Neighbourhood Board is working towards becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) by April 2026. This legal structure will enable the Board to hold assets, access new funding streams, and operate with independence while maintaining full accountability to the local community.
The vision was submitted to Government at the end of last year. Subject to approval, the first round of funding could be released from April this year.
Steven Holbrook, Chair of the Ryde Neighbourhood Board, has said:
“This vision has been shaped by what people in Ryde have told us they want to see. It’s about practical improvements that make a real difference to everyday life in our town.
“It gives us a strong starting point to bring investment into Ryde and work with the community to turn ideas into action. The vision will continue to evolve as more local ideas come forward.”
The Ryde Neighbourhood Board plans to hold a series of drop-in sessions from March onwards, giving residents the opportunity to learn more about the vision and get involved in shaping the next steps in the 10-year project.
The full vision document and an Easy Read summary can be found at https://rydeneighbourhoodboard.org.uk/vision/.
CCTV, Cycle lanes and speed cameras would be a
great investment going forward.
Laudable. As long as it’s not hard pressed council tax payers paying for it in the long term. Already had a big increase on the precept bailing! out the marina.
I cannot wait until we have a year with NO
council tax increases, maybe in election year 2029
Lol
Labour will be desperate to gain votes.
Please don’t squander this on a derelict old town hall.Not sure what a cultural hub really is.but is that best use of this money
Recommsion the ice rink and put in a free gym for the under 16s.Can also be used as a live music venue. .There is nothing for teenagers in Ryde leading to anti social behaviour .Skate park is a good idea.Needs supervision to stop drug use and bullying so more kids will use it
A skate park is only of interest to a few, and they inevitably end up covered in graffiti and becoming eyesores. But a free gym would be fantastic for a lot of teens and it will benefit them mentally and physically. Teens have an overabundance of energy, and it will get out somehow, either for good or for bad. And there is nothing good for them to do.
It could be turned into a free sports centre
comprising gym, snooker and pool tables etc
plus indoor football and squash etc
All free to use, just charge for refreshments.
Let’s hope this public money will be put to good use. Ask for advice from East cowes town council on how to spend it.
DO NOT use the terms like “commercially sensitive” when asked how the money has been spent.
Do not borrow more money on the back of “there will be more funding available next year” as we have run out of this years allocation.
East Cowes town council is run very well.
The ice rink would be a great venue for live music. Also incorporating the area for things like play groups and for the handicapped. Such a waste
They will balls it up and not use it properly and be unaccountable, bit like the bus station. Never saw such a useless design coming off the pier being the wrong side of the traffic lights, unbelievable !