Isle of Wight secures funding for Sandown Town Hall restoration

The Isle of Wight Council has been awarded £3.1 million in funding for the restoration of Sandown Town Hall and towards delivering a new youth community programme.

Awarded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport through their Youth Investment Fund, it is estimated that the youth programme will serve over 200 young people per week, with activities such as sports and study sessions and access to a sound studio for music practice being made available.

The renovation and restoration work will entail structural works to several rooms, the basement and the courtyard garden which aims to bring the hall back to life, highlighting the councils corporate plan that prioritises the renovation of empty properties, with this success helping achieve that aim.

Sandown Town Hall, built for the local community in 1869 for social amusement, recreation, and enjoyment, is situated on a large site in the heart of Sandown and is grade II listed. The hall has served the community in diverse ways for 150 years, including cultural, educational, administrative, entertainment, sporting activities and most recently hosting a dedicated youth club before its closure in 2017.

Nick Temple, CEO for Social Investment Business, that leads the delivery partnership said: “The Youth Investment Fund is all about prioritising the needs of young people in England and creating a more equal society for future generations.

Today’s announcement means another 12,000 young people can access quality, sustainable and accessible youth clubs.” 

“It is so exciting to see the first Youth Investment Fund projects open their doors to young people, giving them every opportunity to make friends, have fun, discover their passions, and thrive.”

Welcoming the Youth Investment Fund grant, the Isle of Wight Council’s Area Regeneration Programme Manager Laura Cansdale, said “It is fantastic news and demonstrates how a strong partnership approach can deliver results in place making.

We now have a great opportunity for us to apply the local priorities and principles emerging from the Bay Area Place Plan, to develop a facility that puts young people at the heart of the design and really works for the community today.”

Julian Wadsworth, Community Resilience Coordinator for the Bay area & Youth Intervention Development Officer from Community Action Isle of Wight said: “We have continuously consulted with young people through various settings regarding their aspirations, needs and challenges and empowered them to have a voice in the community.

The creation of an accessible, credible, and safe youth space has been highlighted by all young people as their number one need and we look forward to working with young people, the Isle of Wight Council, and other local partners to make the Town Hall a wonderful new home for young people in the Bay area.”

Director of The Common Space Ian Boyd, who requested the Town Hall be listed as an Asset of Community Value in 2021 said “This is fantastic news for Sandown, the Bay, and the whole Island. We very much look forward to supporting the project and seeing it deliver real and lasting community benefit.”