“The whole lot has gone. It’s mind-blowing”, the heartbroken family behind an Isle of Wight tearoom have told the County Press, after a large landslip left their business looking like a “warzone”.

Samantha Buckley, co-owner of the Smugglers Haven Tea Gardens, on Leeson Road, says she is “stumped for words” following last night’s devastation.

The tearoom is one of several properties affected by a major landslide in Bonchurch, near Ventnor. Around 20 properties had to be evacuated in total.

Samantha, who joined the business in May alongside her sister and brother-in-law, turned up this morning to find the tearoom’s toilet block and gardens were no longer there.

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She said she was “shocked” after discovering they had fallen around 60ft down a cliff, along with a car and a large container holding personal belongings.

Samantha’s husband, Phil told the County Press: “I know this is a landslip area, but you had the gardens and then there was a wall.

“And then behind that wall there was a good 100ft drop. The whole lot has gone.

“I would never have thought in a million years the whole lot would have gone that quickly up to where it has done in one shot.”

What to do if you're affected by the Bonchurch landslip

If you have been affected by the landslip in Bonchurch, call the council helpline on (01983) 823111.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Samantha said her sister and brother-in-law also live in accommodation at the tearooms. They were not there at the time of the landslide.

The family opened the business on May Bank Holiday weekend.

Samantha said they had “big plans” going forward and refurbishments had already started taking place.

She said she does not know what will happen in the future, but to her the damage is “irreparable”.

She said: "It will be down to the council but we don’t know.

“Just looking, we’ve lost the whole garden area. The walkways have gone. Unless you’re good at abseiling, there’s no access. It’s heart-breaking.”

In an emergency evacuation, at around 9.20pm on Sunday night, the residents of 20 homes on the south side of Leeson Road were asked to find alternative accommodation.

Many spent the night with friends and family, while some were in council-arranged temporary places to stay.

Samantha said: “The most important thing is no one has got hurt.

"As for the other residents, I just hope if they’ve lost anything I just pray it’s only gardens.”

Leeson Road is closed at its junction with Bonchurch Shute, affecting travel between Ventnor and Shanklin, and long diversions are in place.