The former Edinburgh Woolen Mill building in Ryde has been taken over by Friends of the Animals, it has been confirmed.
For months the prominent building on the corner of High Street and Garfield Road has stood empty, following the collapse of EWM in 2020.
Now, local charity Friends of the Animals has purchased the building and intends to open a charity shop – similar to one recently opened in Sandown High Street. The charity’s HQ is on Riverway, Newport.
Work is currently taking place to bring the property up to standard but it is unknown when exactly the new shop will open its doors to customers.
The news has been met with mixed reactions… Taking to social media, locals have expressed opinions on both sides of the fence.
Beverley Kettel has said:
“Not another charity shop, when are we going to get some different shops. I’m not against any charity, but Ryde is turning into charity shop town.
Whilst Chris Collings has said:
“People of the IOW just don’t realise how we need Friends of the animals and for the islands badger survival it’s amazing what they do”
Tesni Jones adds:
“Charities buying property? Must be doing very well!”
Prior to becoming Edinburgh Woolen Mill the corner building hosted Currys, the retailer. The Lion Hotel, originally called The George Inn, once stood on the site until it was demolished in 1973.
It is a shame that residents do not get a say in what shops are wanted, certainly no need for ANOTHER charity shop in Ryde.
Who governs this, another IDIOT on the mainland ?
You can’t make a business open up a shop, it’s up to them where and when they do
Turn it into cheap housing for islanders instead. High street all but dead.
How much did the shop cost the Charity to buy? I’m guessing they must see the purchase as an investment, but how long before the shop manages to recoup the purchase price and start contributing a net profit to the Charity? Many years I would think.
Why are charity shops thriving whilst others High Street businesses are going under? I’d guess that having mainly unpaid volunteers as staff plus an 80 per cent reduction in Business Rates probably helps.
But, I suppose, even another Charity Shop is preferable to an empty store?
No – an empty store would be far more preferable, than yet another begging bowl outlet.
Would you say that about the hospice, you don’t have to go there
Because the stock is given not purchased as would be by other retailers
Don’t know why it’s saying there are 6 comments here, but only 3 are actually here, My first thought not loather charity shop, but at least it’s for the animals, and better than another vaping shop or tattoo parlour or even worse, another estate agent or nail bar! And let’s face it, if it wasn’t taken over by a charity shop it would just stay empty because what good quality shop would want to come to Ryde, or indeed anywhere on the Island these days? They would never be able to make a profit so it wouldn’t be worth their while, only cheap places would do well here because of the demographic.
I think Ryde would benefit from another carpet shop. – we’ve only got 3!
It depends what type of ‘charity’ shop it is. Is it lining the pocket of the owner before proceeds reach the animals? There’s a certain ‘charity’ shop on the island doing this which is outrageous tbh, which is why its profitable for some! Get a ‘good’ accountant and you’re laughing, which is why so many are springing up… Legitimate businesses should be encouraged and given the same tax etc breaks as these so called charity shops then the high streets may prosper again. Greed, greed, greed.
Excellent news not enough charity shops in Ryde I find
They say you can tell the financial status of an area when you count how many charity shops are there.