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Hotel where Hendrix stayed must be spruced up

BBC A black and white photo of rock star Jimi Hendrix. He is looking to the right of the shot with a cigarette in his right hand which his head is resting on. He is wearing a collared shirt and a velvet-looking jacket.BBC
Jimi Hendrix's Isle of Wight Festival appearance in 1970 has gone down in music folklore

The owners of a derelict seaside hotel where Jimi Hendrix once stayed have been ordered to deal with the poor state of the building by the council.

More than 100 improvements must be made to the Esplanade Hotel in Sandown High Street.

In 1970, then the Seagrove Hotel, Hendrix stayed the night before his legendary set at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Isle of Wight Council said the building had continued to "fall into disrepair affecting the surrounding area" despite its owners having planning permission to refurbish it.

Isle of Wight Council Large cream hotel building fills the picture with collapsed wooden steps in front and sprawling vegetation.Isle of Wight Council
The hotel's owners have six months to get the derelict building back into a decent state

The Section 215 notice starts on 6 February with six months for the list of work to be completed.

Councillor Alex Lightfoot, mayor of Sandown, said: "We welcome the council's action and look forward to seeing the remedial works being undertaken.

"The Esplanade Hotel has been an eyesore for too long, and these changes will greatly benefit the town and its residents."

The improvements include repairing the render and repainting and clearing overgrown plants.

Under plans submitted by Plaza Property Developments, approved by the authority last year, the hotel could be turned into 20 apartments.

Six of the flats would be rented out as holiday lets.

The property development company bought the site in 2019.

Isle of Wight Council Rear view of large sprawling cream painted hotel, many of its walls have peeling paint and missing render - a road runs to the left and plants are growing along the rear.Isle of Wight Council
The owners have six months to spruce up the hotel from 6 February

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