FOLLOWING on from its early closure this season, the company behind popular Isle of Wight family attraction, Robin Hill, has announced the country park is going up for sale.

A number of jobs are also at risk, following today's (Monday) announcement.

In a statement, Vectis Ventures revealed its Downend site, near Arreton, is on the market.

It says the decision has been necessitated by a prolonged period of financial turbulence, adding the sale would enable the company to clear its debt. 

Read more: Robin Hill to be sold: Highs and lows of family favourite park (and what happens to Polar and the Christmas parties​

Vectis Ventures' owner, Alexander Dabell, said the company would be consulting with its workforce and around ten jobs would be at risk.

Last month, Vectis Ventures blamed the weather and the economy for a 'challenging summer' as it closed Robin Hill earlier than planned.

Dozens of seasonal staff who worked for the company, which also runs Blackgang Chine, were let go.

“The decision to sell Robin Hill has been necessitated by a prolonged period of financial turbulence,” said a spokesperson for the company.

“This is following Covid, and exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis and poor spring and summer weather.

“These factors have stretched the finances of Vectis and the eventual sale of Robin Hill will strengthen the balance sheet of the group, allow borrowings (debt) to be repaid, and to release funds for further investment in Blackgang Chine."

Alexander Dabell said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have taken the decision to sell Robin Hill.

“It is a much-loved attraction and has given millions of visitors great pleasure and memorable visits over many years.

“It has been a privilege for my family to be the custodians of this fine site for nearly 30 years.

"We have every hope it will flourish under new ownership"

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“However, the stark reality of the economic picture is that without a sale, the debt created through Covid loans would need to be extended further into the future and would prevent investment in the short term.

“The truth is that visitor numbers have been affected by the very poor weather we
have seen the past two seasons, which has given us no choice but to sell Robin Hill and focus our investment in Blackgang Chine.

“Robin Hill is being marketed as a going concern, and we have every hope that it will flourish under new ownership, when a suitable buyer can be found”.