Isle of Wight Council has approved plans to transform the historic Grade II listed former Elizabeth Pack Department Store in Ryde into a new cultural centre.
The ambitious plans for the circa £1.8m renovation and extension of the building, which has been closed since 2016, have been drawn up by specialist architecture practice Turner.Works.
The centre will offer creative workspace, retail outlets, display and performance space for national and community arts group and a new cafe.
Since 2021, carnival arts group Shademakers has used the building whilst Turner.Works undertook a feasibility study, supported the successful application to the Arts Council Capital Fund and developed the long-term plans to turn the former department store into a permanent cultural centre.
Suzi Winstanley, director at Turner.Works and project director for the centre, said: “We are thrilled that our plans for the former Elizabeth Pack Department Store have been approved. Not only will they revitalise a significant heritage building but they will provide a blueprint for how former retail units can be reimagined through thoughtful design to become places that benefit the arts, culture, and local communities.”
The project is being delivered in partnership with the council following funding from DCMS, Arts Council England, Historic England and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
The wider project design team includes Modh Design, Tari Willis, Salvis Group, 24 Acoustics, NT Surveying, Daniel Stimson Surveying, and BWC Fire.
Construction of the project is currently out to tender, with works anticipated to begin at the end of this year and to complete by the end of 2024.
