Ryde Town Hall has been listed among the top 10 buildings at risk in The Georgian Group’s 2023 ‘Heritage At Risk’ list. The Georgian Group is the national authority on Georgian architecture (1700-1837) and each year highlights the plight of neglected and at risk Georgian buildings around the UK. The list, which was unveiled on 13th December, this year includes a Cornish manor house, 2 unique structures in London and 2 Grade II-listed former schools, 1 of which is on a World Heritage Site. After Ryde Town Hall’s closure in 2010, it was sold to a private developer but remains empty to this day. It had deteriorated significantly over the past 13 years which, in November 2021, prompted Friends of Ryde Town Hall (FORTH) to be formed to help build public support for the restoration of the building. The Ryde Town Hall Trust was formed in May this year and is currently exploring a range of purchase options. Once the Trust owns the building, it will be in a position to apply for national grant funding to refurbish it. Zoë Barker, Chair of FORTH, has said:
“As another year draws to a close, this is a timely reminder that Ryde Town Hall needs our urgent attention. The whole community – local government, the arts, culture, business and residents – must be invited to contribute to the development of the Town Hall project. Inclusivity and transparency will be key to success. “We need to see major steps taken in 2024 to get this much-loved civic building back into the community.”
Ryde Town Hall is a grade II-listed building and was designed by James Sanderson of London in a neoclassical style. It was built in 1830 – almost 200 years ago. The clock tower and an additional story on the east wing were added in 1869. The building opened as a market hall in 1831 and has a rich history of holding lavish balls, concerts, and Royal visits. The Town Hall was badly damaged in a major fire in 1933 but was subsequently restored and served as the headquarters of Ryde Borough Council for much of the 20th century, with the 1st floor of the building converted to a theatre in 1991 and later a music venue. The full list can be found at https://georgiangroup.org.uk/2023/12/11/the-georgian-groups-2023-top-10-heritage-at-risk-list-revealed/.
