Ryde Town Council will tonight (Monday) consider a plan to take on the town's crumbling theatre and town hall. 

It is also considering granting funds to charity-run sport facilities, and may give the green light to purchasing a derelict historic building.

However, discussions are likely to place in private, with the temporary exclusion of the press and public.

Ryde Theatre

Closed by the Isle of Wight Council and sold to a private investor in 2013, Ryde Theatre has been in a state of disrepair for years.

A proposal has been agreed between Cllr Phil Jordan and the building’s owner, that could see the elected body lease the building over three years, with an option to buy.

If enough other councillors agree, grant funding will be sought to finalise the deal. 

Last week, Cllr Jordan said: “The long term plan is to restore the theatre as a venue. We want to convert the rest of the space into a variety of public spaces and/or commercial opportunities, such as start-up offices.

"We want the public space for community use, and to return the town council offices and meeting rooms.

"The old council chamber is still in the building with historical plaques and galleries.

"Until I get the business case report back, I can only estimate the costs of buying and restoring the building to be around £3-£4 million.

"We would hope to raise much of that through grant funding, donations, crowd funding and public borrowing to kick-start the project."

Town councillors will also consider buying Vectis Hall in Melville Street.

The former school is up for sale and appears on a site dedicated to saving historic properties.

Meanwhile, extra funding could be granted for the town’s Waterside Pool, which has been hit by Covid-19 closures and restrictions.

Ryde Town Council meets today (Monday, November 2), from 7pm.

UPDATE 8.20pm: 

The County Press has been excluded from all three items, due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed.

The decision was put to a vote, where only three Cllrs voted in favour of the press and public staying.