Following the decision to close the historic Brading The Experience in 2010  some Isle of Wight residents have been in contact with Island Pulse to provide their views and opinion.   

At present the owner of Brading the Experience or as many would call it Brading Waxworks, Robert Ball, is developing a formal Planning Application for the whole of the site.

The original Isle of Wight Wax Works Museum and Animal World was founded by Graham Osborne-Smith and opened in 1965. Today owned by Islander Robert Ball who developed this historical and wonderfully interesting attraction into more than just a Wax Works.

At Brading Town Hall earlier this month, residents were encouraged to view for themselves what may happen on this most signifcant site for Brading’s future.

A few residents of Quay Lane and the High Street, Brading got together because of their concern for the impending closure of the Brading Experience, the first week in January, and the effect the proposed development will have on the Village, our own well being, from a road safety aspect, and other connected implications.

The Town Council seem keen to have a Heritage Centre in the listed building to house all the records, at present stored in the Old Town Hall, which apparently is damp. There are apparently similar problems within the Brading Experience!! (Wax Museum)
 
Mr Bartlett, Town Clerk, is convinced a Heritage Centre will work and is talking about contacting areas in France to encourage them to bring school parties to do research. The idea of a Heritage Centre will have to house some pretty fantastic exhibits to encourage visitors with no connection to Brading to visit it…..Although I really like the idea of a Heritage Centre.. but as a tourist venue, to keep Brading alive, I have my doubts.
 
A consultation meeting was called the other week with only a few days notice given. My notice arrived on the Friday for a meeting on the Monday…to me this did not present any problems for attending, but those who were working and leading a busy schedule, left no time to apply for annual leave etc. Not everyone works 9-5pm!!…perhaps its one of the reasons that attendance statistics and consultation paper statistics are not as good as what it could have been!!
 
There are great plans for development!!… a Auction house, plus 11 homes which will include homes for home workers, situated to the rear of the High Street listed buildings.  Six houses to  face the Church !! ….. Rumour has it that demolition will start the second week in January!!

Details below is the copy of a letter which Island Pulse have been informed will be sent to the Isle of Wight County Press from  two of the residents attending the meeting:

A few weeks ago you published a short article about the closure of The Brading experience/Wax Works. This seems to be happening with very little comment from The County Press or other authority regarding the sizeable implications for tourism on the Island, particularly as The Brading Experience is one of the very few wet-weather attractions.

Further to this, plans will soon be submitted to the IW Council to demolish all but the listed building fronting The High Street to make way for 17 dwellings/businesses.

It is not surprising that local residents have major concerns about the loss of this attraction to Brading and the likely impact of the proposed development and any further development that seems likely to follow. Although a consultation at very short notice was arranged with the developer, the Town Council already appeared to be supporting the development without any regard for the views of local residents. There appears to be many trade-offs between the council and the developer in this plan which we feel need to be very closely monitored.

Editors Note:  As was stated at the start of this article: Robert Ball outlined his proposals, and presented the plans for the future of the Brading Experience.  Click to view Consultation here: www.bradingtowncouncil.org.uk and add your own feedback here: