Historic Ryde Vectis Hall Set For Auction As Grade II Listed Building Goes To Market

A historic Grade II listed building in the centre of Ryde is set to go under the hammer this month, with Ryde Town Council confirming Vectis Hall will be included in the next Clive Emson property auction.

The 19th century former school building on Melville Street was purchased by Ryde Town Council in 2020 for £125,000, with hopes of restoring it for community use.

However, the council has now confirmed it could be sold at a loss.

At the time of purchase, the council described the site as a long-term project due to its condition, with plans to begin work within three to five years.

Vectis Hall will now feature in the upcoming Clive Emson auction, which concludes on 17 June, with auctioneers confirming the property is being offered with a nil reserve, meaning it will sell to the highest bidder regardless of price.

Financial allocations for the building in recent council budgets have varied, including £16,922 in 2026/27, £46,880 in 2025/26, £56,622 in 2024/25, £18,580 in 2023/24, £7,800 in 2022/23 and £23,600 in 2021/22.

Auctioneer Rob Marchant said the hall has fallen into a “state of disrepair” in recent years and now requires significant upgrading and refurbishment.

He added that the building, which dates back to 1812 and is believed to be Ryde’s first free school, has previously been used in a variety of roles including as a community hall.

Scenes from the 1973 British film That’ll Be The Day, starring Ringo Starr and David Essex, were also filmed in the main hall.

The property also includes a former caretaker’s flat and is considered suitable for a range of future uses, subject to the necessary consents being obtained.