Exploring Inside Ryde Theatre/Town Hall - Abandoned Isle of Wight
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Exploring inside of the abandoned Ryde Theatre which is a large Victorian grade II listed building located in the center of Isle of Wights largest town.
No damage was caused gaining entry to this building and it has since been secured.
Filmed with Sony A7Sii, edited and graded in Adobe Premiere Pro 2017 and I created the music in FL Studio.
Thumbnail picture by 28dl user B3N
Check out on my social media links below:
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The building was designed by London architect James Sanderson and it was construction as a part of a redevelopment of the town centre of Ryde.
Building started in 1830 and the site opened in 1831 as a Market House and Town Hall
The Town Hall formed the center of the building on the first floor and the ground floor was used as a Market.
In 1868 the building was extended with a larger venue hall being added and the central clock tower was also added.
As the Town Hall, it was extensively used for musical entertainment and concerts and the building contained a historic organ installed in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
On 6th June 1933, a fire broke out which cause extensive damage to most of the building, many valuable pictures and the organ were lost during the blaze.
The damaged sections were reconstructed which allowed for many of the facilities to be updated and a new organ was installed, the halls were officially re-opened by the Mayor on the 1st of June 1934.
By 1980 the organ had become unplayable and the Borough Council applied for a grant of £10,000 to restore it in 1986.
The grant was given under the condition that the organ was to be maintained by a Charitable Trust which would ensure the promotion of the organ for enjoyment by the public.
In 1990 alterations were carried out to convert the upper floors of the building to a theatre with capacity to hold up to 500 people this opened on March 1991 as the Ryde Theatre, the site was also used briefly as a Cinema, although the cinema closed after only 8 weeks into a 13 week trial in January of 1993 due to a lack of attendance.
In July 2007 The council started to consider closing the site as it was in need of renovation and in 2009 estimated cost of refurbishing theatre would be £1.8M, the Cabinet decided that the council should Seek proposals from community groups and commercial operators for the redevelopment and management of the site.
The property was advertised for sale on April 2009 and an offer of £390,000 was accepted by the council from Platform One a local music college who were interested in keeping the site open as a theatre and music venue.
Unfortunately this period coincided with the economic downturn and Platform One struggled to secure its anticipated funding and the purchase was withdrawn in March 2011.
By this point the site had been closed since April of the previous year, the property was re-advertised for sale in October 2011 and this time the sale was on an unrestricted basis except for allowing access to the organ and consideration of the reopening of the public toilets.
A company called Phantom Productions purchased the property from the council in early 2013 for £300,000. the organisation is rumoured to be affiliated with the Isle of Wight festival organisers and aimed to reopen the site as a music venue but this failed to happen and to date the site has remained closed.
In March of this year a feasibility study was submitted to Ryde Town council by the “The Ryde Empty Buildings Group” regarding acquiring and developing the site as a landmark cultural centre that includes spaces for makers' units, small offices, digital and production areas, a café, occasional markets and exhibition space.
The proposed plan is supported by the Isle of Wight Council's regeneration department, however as the building is still owned by Phantom Productions nothing can be done to re-open and restore this historically significant building without an agreement from the owner to sell the building…
I used to perform piano concerts here. Basically the Isle of Wight Yamaha music school every year had two concerts for it's students to perform in and one of them was here. I didn't even realise it had stopped being a music venue, it's so bizarre seeing it years and years like this, I have so many incredible and fond memories of performing here. Thank you for making and uploading this!
Thanks for sharing your memories, It really is such a shame although structurally the building doesn’t look in too bad of a condition so fingers crossed something will be done with it!
I have often walked past the town hall and wondered why such a lovely old building is not being used, so thank you for this video and all the information. I really hope this building is re-opened and put to good use.
Lovely to see the poster for the Dan Damage memorial ball. He was a good mate God rest his soul. I was at that ball and had many good nights in this theatre, even being part of the isle of wight music festival as a child in a choir, singing solo and playing piano. Good times
That name is such a blast from the past. I remember Dan from the Squaddy, he was such a lovely guy and it was so sad when he died x
wendy, did dan every pay you for all those posters and flyers you printed for us back in the 90's? hehe - hugs you - Vern (vermin)
@@PhyzzFizz lol I can't remember. Me and Hannah Knight used to print them out. Was happy to help Dan out, used to give him free advertising in the Weekly Ad too. Those were the days. Hope you are well.
How sad.I remember lots of events there probably mostly in the early to mid 70's.Wrestling and concerts.One event that stands out was seeing Billy Conolly there.It was freezing but with in minutes of him coming on stage in his banana boots the place was alive filled with laughter and applause.How great it would be if it could be revived again.
It would be great if something could be done to reopen and restore this historically significant part of Island history. Thank you for sharing your memories Janice!
Brilliant mate as always. Fantastic documentary
Thanks very much 😁
Sorry for late reply only just watched this, great video and great information, learned even more about our island can't wait for future videos xx
Fascinating as always. A big part of my teenage years. Cheers for this!
Great video shouldn’t be allowed to rot . If no agreement is reached it should be compulsory purchased for the original sale price and renovated. It’s a crime leaving it to rot
I wholeheartedly agree! Really can't understand how the council can allow this to happen to so many sites across the Island , surely they must realise that allowing buildings like this to fall into disrepair has a significant negative impact on tourism.
Abandoned Isle of Wight So long as they don’t have to spend money, that’s all they care about. As you say so much neglect by the council and private owners.
My Nan used to live in ride, up until the early-to-mid 2010's, I must've passed by this place dozens of times without stopping to take a look. The view of the Solent is beautiful, a testament to both Ryde and the mainland towns and cities.
I played there with my band when I was a kid in 2009. I was a student at Platform One.
Played there about 10 years ago. Nice venue
Awesome doc.. And so happy and amazed to see the dan damage poster still on the walls.. Great music venue, great memories 🤘
Thanks very much 😁
Thankyou for sharing this well informed video about an important Island building. I enjoyed the articulate talk about the history.
How have I only just discovered your vids!! They awesome dude.
The fact that it took me so long to recognise it is kind of concerning since I walk my dog that way often 😬
Wow look at that place it’s right nice. Nice story and explore. Left u a like 👍
I used to complete there every year in the IOW Music Festival and regularly played the fantastic organ. I first starting competing there during the 1950s and after a time away returned in the '70s. In the early days I performed on piano and organ and also competed with my school, Upper Chine School for Girls, in choirs and the spoken word. I remember a commercial recording company called the Wessex Recording Company made records (78s ) live. I still have a couple of mine. They were wonderful times and we all loved the huge expanse of the hall when all the folding doors were open, which usually happened at our end of festival concerts. I wonder, does anyone know what happened to that wonderful organ?
Great video.......The night you were asleep in your makeshift hammocks, I came in at 5am to take some sunrise shots from the clocktower. I walked past you without knowing you were there , took my photos and went out without waking you up !!!!
😂 I've still got no idea how we didn't manage to hear you!
Excellent video, such a waste of a beautiful building. I lived on the island for about a year in the late 90s. Loved it.
Interesting spot, I love the look of the clock tower. Great video as always
Thanks Steph! It was a pretty cool explore and amazingly we had it open for about 6months before anyone realised
Here's what you do. Lease the building off the owner. Main auditorium, rip out every second row of seats, replace with long tables. Throw lots of comfy sofas in downstairs, Put on movies, not new release, but classics and second runs. Charge people 1 quid entry. Sell pizza and beer to the movie goers. Sell more pizza and beer. Put in a micro brewery and sell pizza and better quality beer. Other rooms, rent as conference venues, wedding venues etc. and use for community events. Have occasional concerts on demand and sell the punters pizza and beer. Get property tax relief from Council. Result - vibrant community hub which is sustainable and profitable.
Great video, thanks. I was parked outside on Sunday wondering what it was like inside
Thanks very much 😁, unfortunately I think it's been trashed quite a bit since this was filmed, there is another video that some kids put up a couple of days ago that was filmed quite recently and you can see that someone has got in there and smashed it up a bit.
Great video. Had our Ryde High School prom here in 1997! Sad it's going derelict
Ha. And ours the year after. I think. Hazy. Hi Em! 🖐🏻
These are all really great videos, really professionally shot and haunting music. Keep up the good work. Would be great if you could explore some abandoned places over West Wight if you know any
Thanks very much Jack 😁
There are a few interesting little sites over West Wight that I have footage of it's just difficult to make a full video out of these, perhaps I might combine them into a single video when I get a chance.... Although there are a couple of big sites over that way that we have our eye on 😉
You can explore the old buildings at carisbrooke collage like maths music and english blocks and humanities all you have to do is go in the field and go to the basketball court and then theres a gate that you can climb then your in and enjoy your explore
Theres tunnel in northwood park in cowes, its pretty hidden and is behind a wall, but its slightly easy to get to
Deadly Demon my wife used to go down those tunnels when she was a kid. She still wants to try now every time we walk past with the dog
@@Gojulee But you say no?😋
Great production values. Love these videos!
Thanks Lewis!
Love how u give all the history too it’s cool 💖
doors were locked a few weeks ago I live right near and always used to go in
still doable u think?
Wow! I've often wondered obout that place! Something of a memorable landmark since driving into Ryde for the 1st time! Fascinating. Must be something for that building to be but I don't think it's easy for large numbers of people to easily park, nor would they want to. Must be something you might want to walk around whilst already visiting Ryde high St
We got in recently and after watching this it shows how much it’s been ruined
It's crazy how much it's been trashed and a massive shame, unfortunately I think someone left an obvious window open which is probably how the vandals got in
i danced here in 2008!!! didn’t even know it had been shut down
Yup, for almost 10 years now, if anything it's pretty incredible that the building hasn't fallen into greater disrepair
This was really interesting bro I always pass there and was wandering what it was like inside
Love your videos bro 👊🏻
Explore abandoned ocean hotel Sandown!!
Nice little documentary you have abandoned i.o.w , , yeah such a shame it's been closed down it was a great venue for music concerts,
Seen a few bands there, , STIFF LITTLE FINGERS, THE BUZZCOCKS, TO NAME A FEW, i even believe pink Floyd played there in the late 60s , thanks to the isle of Wight council for not investing in the building and keeping music alive on the island instead just wash their hands of it so they don't have to spend out on repairs and paint, so they can keep having champagne lunches, , LETS HOPE IT DON'T END UP LIKE TOTLAND PIER a bloody mess. Great vid as always keep up with the good work. 👍👍👍
Thanks Neil👍
It's a real shame that the initial buyer Platform One wasn't able to secure funding to purchase the building as I've no doubt they would have kept it open as a music venue which would have really helped progress the Islands music scene.
Very interesting video
I know this building so well, I used to enter my miniature plate garden in the garden show there as a child, my kids did gymnastic displays there, we went to many many gigs, parties, films, end of season do's (Wightlink Raiders to name but one) and when I worked below for the Council, we had our office parties up there.. love the place. Are the offices below abandoned now too? I worked there for years, would love to see inside if they're empty!
Hi Nicky, the offices had been emptied out (I didn't include them in the video as they are quite bland when empty) There were a couple of locked offices full of items that we couldn't get into, when this was filmed, unfortunately having seen another video online I can see that someone smashed a way into these offices and completely trashed them which is so senseless... Thanks for taking the time to share your memories of the building!
@@AbandonedIsleofWight I guess the offices are not of much interest to most people, my Mum worked in them before me for close on 30 years, I was taken to work with her on occasion when I was young, would have been mid to late 60's, you couldn't message the url of the other video could you please? I've just remembered another memory of the theatre... We took our daughter to see the boy band Five there and the organisers had under estimated the "excitement" any Dad's that were at the bar including my hubby were roped in to hold back the barriers! haha
Here's the link to the other video: ruclips.net/video/J5KsdQLWR3A/видео.html It's pretty poorly shot though (and I'm not affiliated with it in any way).
Your one of the only Urbexers on RUclips I actually like and follow, most are clickbait morons trudging round the same old soggy derps, pointing the camera at themselves chatting shit! I despise it! 😂
Great footage, production and insight to history here! I had no idea this theatre even existed! Might have to make a little break over, have never visited IoW before! :)
Thanks for the kind words 👍 I hate the whole RUclips umbex drivel scene too.
Id love to do a gig here one day
ralph K.J I’ve gigged there a few times with the Apple Beatles .. good times
@@Gojulee i was born a little bit to late. It would have been awesome to see the bees there
ralph K.J if you don’t mind me asking .. how old are you Ralph ? I’m trying to remember what year I played there.. has to be just over 15 years ago I think ..?are you involved in the music scene on the island ?
@@Gojulee i was born in 2000 so i was definitly too young to go to any gigs
Such a waste. What a lovely building.
Trevor Beckett it really is I hope that the empty building group is successful and manages to acquire the site.
Brilliant video Nick
Cheers Sam!
ahhhh memories
Many drunken antics, many gigs performed there, won Bestival competition there and got signed to Sunday Best because of an event there.. seen some great acts there... got barred for 6 months for hanging over the bar opening a beer tap into my mouth woops
I played gigs there in the late seventies. What do they do for a town hall in Ryde now?
I remember going here in my teens to watch a bunch of us emo generation play our emo music. Also I had a beer. Strange many memories triggard from the abyss of my mind.
Isn’t the ice rink in Ryde abandoned I don’t know if it is you should try get in ??
But I’m from the Isle of Wight
Love all your videos and I’m glad there’s someone on the isle who does something awesome
He's done a video of that check his channel out.
Vectis Adventurer oh ok must have missed it
Vectis Adventurer oh yeah found it
as a lighting tech nerd this hurts to see
I like watching that
Was this where waltzing waters was?
Waltzing Waters is by Tesco
2 people this week were caught by police inside the theatre
How did you get in? We went in the entrance at the top of the metal stairs but that’s been locked now.
Yeah I know which way you mean, I couldn’t believe how long that entrance was left open for!
Abandoned Isle of Wight I know, I’d love to take some more photos in there. Couldn’t get many because we went in at night so it was nearly impossible to get any decent pictures.
their building in their now all windows are being boarded up
shame it's all gone to crap now that vandals destroyed it, nobody will ever manage to fix it now.
I live opposite, when did you record this?
The internal shots are from Summer last year
Abandoned Isle of Wight I’d love to go in, worth a risk?
@@mollyR I saw people getting in there a couple of weeks back and circling around the building last weekend I could still see a way in (I can't really share this, although if you look I'm sure you'd see it), it's worth making you aware that there have been been workers in there too recently.
Are Phantom Productions a real company, or a ghost one, so the building rots, so can then be made into flats???
when I was researching the video I couldn't really find very much outside of news articles about "Phantom Productions"
The spokesperson for the organisation is a relatively well know Island musician called Joe Gladdis and I found several articles claiming a link with the IOW festival, although I couldn't find any concrete evidence of this.
@@AbandonedIsleofWight does sound a bit on the dodgy side doesn't it....
@@AbandonedIsleofWight phantomproductions.co.uk/about
These are the only ones I can find....and Joe isn't named in any of the press....
Hmmmm!?
How did you get in there ?
There were a number of ways into the building about a year ago and gradually these all got sealed up, I wouldn't want to share any of these openly on the internet as I watched another video (filmed recently) where it was visible that someone had got in the building and smashed parts of it up
Fair enough
Be a real shame if the building is allows to rot away
sports direct mug
Very nawty
YO BUD CAN YOU GIVE ME A MESSAGE ON INSTAGRAM URBEX UNTOLD OR FB MESSENGER SCOTTIE DELSOL WE SPOKE LAST YEAR ABOUT A FEW LOCATIONS MAN AND NOW IM BACK TO HIT THEM CHEERS BUD