By Isle of Wight Observer
More than 20 residents, professionals, and community representatives gathered at Ventnor Town Council offices on Saturday morning, to discuss ideas for the future of Ventnor Winter Gardens.
The workshop saw participants split into smaller discussion groups before coming together to share their thoughts with the wider room.
A range of ideas was put forward for both short- and long-term uses of the building, with some proposals seen as possible to deliver quickly and with relatively little investment.
There was broad agreement that reopening the Winter Gardens for community use as soon as possible would benefit Ventnor, while also helping shape a longer-term vision for the site.
Those taking part also recognised the importance of developing commercially viable proposals, and securing strong partnerships to support the building’s regeneration, and ensure long-term community benefit.
Ideas raised during the workshop are now being collated into a report, which will be shared with the building’s owner, Kevin Sussmilch.
Before the event, Mr Sussmilch said he was supportive of the process and interested to hear more about the ideas put forward.
Members of the Winter Gardens steering group said they were encouraged by the positive tone of the workshop, and by the willingness of local people to give their time and expertise to help shape the future of the well-known Ventnor landmark.
