Popular Isle of Wight pub stays open despite landslip fear

Fisherman’s Cottage, on the beach below Shanklin Chine, was evacuated this morning, said the IW Council, after ground movement and cracks were detected along the cliff top in Rylstone Gardens.

The County Press understands a local resident walked through the park and noticed a large crack appear within 30 minutes at an elevated wooden bench not far from the Bandstand.

The crack is said to be around 3m long and 8 inches wide.

Cliff top cordon at Rylstone Gardens (Image: Pamela Parker)

Read more:

• Shanklin cliff cordon: Pub and park evacuated amid imminent landslide fears
• Live blog: Evacuation and closures in Shanklin amid cliff collapse fears

Local authorities were quickly alerted to the danger before police cordoned off the area to allow the cliff to be fully assessed.

Road closures and barriers are in place to secure unsafe areas – including the footway alongside Fisherman’s Cottage towards Luccombe - and the public is asked to respect closures for their own and others’ safety.

Police at Shanklin cliff top cordon (Image: Cllr Michael Beston)

A spokesperson from Fisherman's Cottage commented: "Fisherman’s was closed for approximately two hours as a temporary measure while the site was surveyed by a world expert in landslides commissioned by Fisherman’s Cottage.

"By 2pm it was open. However Fisherman’s Cottage is not directly below any of the area threatened, whilst it is near, it is not in the area of concern."

Meanwhile, Shanklin Chine has been closed since October 31, 2023, and is reopening for the season from March 25 until November 3.

The area surrounding the elevated bench in Rylstone Gardens remains cordoned off.