An Isle of Wight building has been included in a British charity’s top ten heritage sites at risk list for 2023.

The list, which was unveiled on December 13 by The Georgian Group, includes Ryde Town Hall, as well as a Cornish manor, two unique London structures and two grade II listed schools.

After the town hall’s closure in 2010, it was sold to a private developer, but remains empty to this day.

In November 2021, Friends of Ryde Town Hall (FORTH) was launched to help build public support for the restoration of the building.

The Ryde Town Hall Trust was formed in May this year and is currently exploring a range of purchase options.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ryde Theatre entrance.Ryde Theatre entrance. (Image: FORTH)

Once the trust owns the building, it will be in a position to apply for national grant funding to refurbish it.

FORTH chair, Zoe Barker, said: “As another year draws to a close, this is a timely reminder that Ryde Town Hall needs our urgent attention.

“The whole community – local government, the arts, culture, business and residents – must be invited to contribute to the development of the town hall project.

“Inclusivity and transparency will be key to success.

“We need to see major steps taken in 2024 to get this much-loved civic building back into the community.”

The Georgian Group is the national authority on Georgian architecture (1700-1837), and each year highlights the plight of neglected and at risk Georgian buildings around the UK.