Isle of Wight hoteliers swap Shanklin's The Aqua for retirement

The Aqua hotel in Shanklin shut its doors just before Christmas.

Before they handed over the keys, James and Annette Blanchett had run the established seafront property for 43 years and the friends they met and made along the way will be what they miss the most.

"Meeting and greeting people was the best bit," Annette told the Isle of Wight County Press.

The Aqua hotel on Shanklin Esplanade. (Image: Chris Blanchett.)

"It's about all the people we have made good friends with and those who worked with us. We've had some really nice staff."

It started as a chance encounter while they were on holiday in Romania and where they bumped into some intrepid first-time hoteliers.

Later, we came to visit them and we were the first names in The Aqua's visitor book, Annette explained.

"I remember thinking, "We'd never do this!"  

Soon though, they found themselves in partnership and not long after that, bought their partners out and embarked on a family adventure that has lasted a lifetime.

When they took sole charge of The Aqua, Annette was just four months away from giving birth to their first child and the couple's son arrived just two years later.

Annette said: "They didn't know anything different.

"They had their tea there after schoool and they learned a lot without knowing it - like having a good work ethic!"

Bringing up a young family is challenging enough, but a hotel demands its owners seven days per week, up to 12 hours per day.

Originally, The Aqua had 24 rooms, boasting two (yes, just two!) ensuite and two communal bathrooms per floor, serving more than 50 guests at peak season (there was a lot of knocking on doors).

Over the years, James and Annette tirelessly extended and improved and when they finally handed over the keys, all their rooms were ensuite and many boasted maginifcant views of the English Channel, just yards from their front door.

Annette and James Blanchett (second and fourth from left) and their children Chris (left) and Natalie. (Image: Chris Blanchett.)

"If we were 30 years younger, we would have added another floor, ten more rooms and a lift," laughed Annette, "but as each year has passed, we got more anxious about things - like getting enough staff and being ready for the new season."

Covid-19 lockdown proved to be a turning point.

"Retirement hasn't really hit us yet, because at this time of the year we wouldn't usually be open. It won't be until when I would usually start getting staff in, in February.

"During Covid, we were at home. We couldn't open and we couldn't go anywhere. We thought, 'this is what it's like to be retired!'

"You worry about missing work but it gave us an inkling of what it might be like. We're sad-but-not-sad to be going. You have to be sensible!"

When things ran smoothly, it offered a great lifestyle, Annette said, but some of those who have worked with the couple for decades are now themselves winding down.

It means James and Annette can plan a 'sensible, healthy and quiet' future.

Since making their announcement they have had flowers sent from The Netherlands, messages from former employees and scores of well-wishes.

Annette is very clear about what she will be doing in future: "It's called retirement. Stop thinking work!

"I am sure we will fill our time!"

Tap dancing, DIY, gardening and 'anything we want' are all on the agenda.

They also aim to visit son Chris, a senior weather presenter for BBC Scotland, and daughter Natalie, who is a trainer and First Class cabin crew with British Airways.

James and Annette are keen to say goodbye and thank you to the community and to their former customers, many of whom would pop in for a cup of tea and a chat.

In future, the building is not expected to reopen as a hotel.