From Lesley Hampshire, Shanklin:

It’s a pity that Dino and Arina Joachim who run the Nightingale Hotel in Shanklin feel the need to be ‘defiant’ about the mixed reaction to their redecorated property in Shanklin (CP, 12-10-18).

Surely, they must have anticipated what a controversial and provocative situation this was going to be?  

Of course, they have every right to express themselves, attract niche market young customers and build up their business. 

The artwork is interesting and has certainly attracted plenty of publicity. 

Given the right location, this couple could go far and good luck to them but sadly, a conservation area (CA) is not the right place for their particular skills.

As entrepreneurial types they should have done their homework first and checked out the details of a designated CA, namely ‘to protect the character of the area; the familiar and cherished local scene…sustaining the sense of distinction which is so important to the Island’s towns, villages and countryside’.  

Keats Green, where the hotel is situated, has a definitely Victorian feel about it: genteel and historic.

So, sorry guys, your newly decorated frontage doesn’t fit the bill.

It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. 

The Isle of Wight Council planning department is not new to controversy and we’ll be watching for their take on this one.

The only horror show is neglected hotels on the Isle of Wight.