We want to hear from YOU! The consultation period will run from now, 10 January 2024 until Saturday 10 February 2024.
Ryde Town Council have agreed in principle, upon presentation of a full survey report and detailed costings, to purchase the former NatWest Bank building located in St Thomas’ Square, Ryde.
Councils up and down the country own and manage their own property as an asset for their town and it is prudent for Ryde Town Council to do the same rather than continuing to rent office space. Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council have led the way by moving directly onto their High Street and the residents of Ryde should be able to enjoy the same benefits.
As with any building the purchase is subject to a successful structural survey which is set to be carried out Friday 12 January. The purchase is to be funded through the Public Works Loan Board which allows Town and Parish Councils to borrow money for appropriate assets at preferential rates.
We kindly ask you access the consultation survey for additional details and to share your feedback.
Link to Survey: CONSULTATION SURVEY
A hard copy of the form can be found at Ryde Library.
Please see below to examine the current images of Netwest and the proposed plans.
Please note: Designs for the building are yet to be finalised however it is expected that the building will feature:
- A new accessible set of offices for Ryde Town Council.
- Fully functional Town Centre toilets including accessible.
- Fully equipped meeting rooms of various sizes for community groups as well as other organisations.
- Rentable interview rooms.
- A genuine hub for Ryde’s community groups including display space.
- Community information centre.
- Potential event space.
Ryde Town Council currently owns three major assets in Ryde. The renovations for St Thomas’ Church are due to be complete this Summer and we have secured well over £700,000 worth of grant funding to undertake the project and turn it into the new home for Network Ryde, Ryde’s youth provision. Vectis Hall is a Grade II listed building that requires a long-term approach, the Council is actively developing a strategy to reinstate Vectis Hall and restore it to community use, and we hope to announce plans later this year. Ryde Marina has seen significant and necessary improvements to make it a Marina that will be of genuine benefit to the town.
Our current Town Council offices lack the accessibility and space needed to serve everyone in our community, and we envision a Council that is accessible to everyone, complete with readily available public toilets. Relocating to the NatWest building would not only fulfil this vision but enables us to achieve significant cost savings in storage, meeting room hire, rent, and management fees. Additionally, the NatWest building offers income-generating potential. Securing a more accessible and financially responsible office space will allow us to better serve the needs of all residents.
Ryde Mayor, Richard May says:
“The NatWest building offers an opportunity to put the community right at the heart of Ryde. By purchasing the building, Ryde Town Council will be able to provide the type of Community Hub that residents deserve – something that the current rented offices in Lind Street do not allow.
The current council chambers in Lind Street have provided excellent office space for Ryde Town Council, but the aspirations of our councillors are to be right at the centre of the development of Ryde for residents, businesses and visitors meaning that a more suitable, accessible home would be of enormous benefit.”