The location has turn out to be a derelict ‘eyesore’ after it closed a number of years in the past.
Brits would flock to Sandown in the course of the early to mid twentieth century (Picture: Getty)
As soon as a jewel of the British seaside, this city has since gained a status amongst some as a crumbling and rundown seaside resort. For many years, guests poured into this stretch of the Isle of Wight shoreline, filling grand resorts and fuelling a thriving vacationer financial system. These days, the image may be very completely different, with quite a few outstanding seafront resorts and buildings having fallen into disrepair, coming to symbolise the city’s wrestle to maneuver ahead.
On the coronary heart of the difficulty stands the derelict Ocean Resort, a once-prominent 97-bedroom landmark that has sat empty and neglected since 2017. The resort as soon as hosted notable guests just like the writer Lewis Caroll who stayed there when it was often known as the King’s Head Resort, in addition to Charles Darwin and composer Richard Strauss.
Fencing was arrange across the constructing following a number of deliberate fires and break-ins (Picture: Getty)
Since its closure, the positioning has been linked to quite a few break-ins, vandalism, arson assaults and suffered a serious fireplace in Might 2021.
Alongside the neighbouring Esplanade Resort, the place Jimi Hendrix as soon as stayed, it has turn out to be one of the vital seen reminders of the city’s decline, with boarded home windows, seen harm and the scars of repeated fires leaving an enduring impression on residents and guests.
Gillian, who has lived on the Isle of Wight for 29 years, advised Isle of Wight County Press: “So far as I’m involved, make it flats for native folks. I feel it’s woeful that it has been left for therefore lengthy.
“We love to come back right here and stroll alongside the seaside, however anybody new coming right here for a vacation have to be wishing they didn’t come.”
Rachel, an area resident, additionally stated: “Clear it up, make it one thing – so long as it’s not trying derelict, I don’t thoughts, so long as it’s not an eyesore.”
Sandown’s financial system was as soon as closely depending on conventional seaside tourism, at a time when abroad journey was much less accessible and British holidaymakers flocked to coastal resorts. Resorts had been central to that success, offering lodging for big numbers of tourists and supporting a community of native companies.
The constructing suffered a serious blaze in 2021 (Picture: Getty)
Nevertheless, shifts in journey habits over latest many years have reshaped the business. The rise of low-cost flights and altering expectations has lowered demand for the type of large-scale, seasonal resort stays that after outlined locations like Sandown. Consequently, some properties have struggled to stay viable, with closures forsaking outstanding gaps alongside the seafront.
The native planning coverage that has restricted seafront resorts together with the Ocean Resort to tourism‑solely use is at the moment below evaluate, and a remaining report on proposed modifications is because of be printed in April 2026. If the evaluate recommends loosening these restrictions, it may open the door to changing empty resorts into different makes use of equivalent to housing or blended‑use developments, one thing native councillors hope may lastly unlock lengthy‑stalled regeneration of the positioning.
Journey information and skilled vacation recommendation plus chosen presents and competitions Subscribe Invalid electronic mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may increasingly embody adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You may unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Final month, the council introduced it has efficiently efficiently secured the profitable bid on an vital strip of Esplanade land in entrance of the Ocean Resort. The land, usually described regionally as a “ransom strip”, sits immediately between the resort and the Esplanade.
Leave a Reply