A long-standing shop on Ryde High Street has reopened, thanks to funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund.

It is one of a number of historic buildings in the town to benefit from recent cash grants.

Nearly £70,000 will help continue the transformation of the former Elizabeth Pack department store.

The Cross Street building is being turned into a new cultural venue and receives £68,500, handed to Ryde arts organisation Shademakers CIC.

The listed building became a department store in 1970.

Isle of Wight County Press: The former Elizabeth Pack store before its transformation (photo by Google).The former Elizabeth Pack store before its transformation (photo by Google).

It closed five years ago, but has now reopened as a creative and cultural space called ‘Department’ - running arts events and activities, with plans for new working and performance spaces, a shop and cafe and a permanent home for Shademakers and Ryde Arts.

Initial investment led to a feasibility study, by a London-based architect firm called TurnerWorks.

The new cash award will allow Shademakers to develop a detailed business plan, costed designs and employ a project manager.

Sharon George from Shademakers CIC said: “It’s fantastic to see Department open, thanks to funding from Historic England.

"This new grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund will allow us to progress the next stage of our plans.

"We’re working hard to provide more space for creative businesses and opportunities for young people by restoring this building at the heart of Ryde back to business and community use."

On Thursday (July 8), Historic England’s chief executive Duncan Wilson and Architectural Heritage Fund’s programme manager Gavin Richards visited Ryde to celebrate the completion of the first phase of Department and to tour the town's High Street Heritage Action Zone.

Duncan Wilson said: “The creation of Department in a former shop will help an innovative Ryde business to grow, provide incubator space for new businesses and create space for community arts events – an exciting example of just what high street heritage can do with the right support.

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has also awarded project viability grants, worth nearly £30,000, to Ryde Town Council which will be used to transform Vectis Hall and St Thomas’s Chapel, which have both fallen into disrepair.

There is a plan to develop St Thomas’s into a base for the Network Ryde youth Service.

Money has also gone to Ryde Town Hall and Theatre and pedestrianisation plans.

Meanwhile, there is Culture Recovery Fund cash for St Mary's Roman Catholic Church and the Historic Ryde Society.