Our purpose at The Riverside Centre is to generate revenue through our commercial activities, to fund the charitable work of Community Action Isle of Wight.
We do this through our venue hire, room hire and events, which directly support our voluntary partnerships and the community projects we undertake for island people. We offer subsidised rates for registered charities and public sector organisations based on the Isle of Wight.
What We Do At The Riverside Centre
The Riverside Centre is a diverse, multi-use community venue located on the Quay in central Newport, on the Isle of Wight.
We have a choice of seven function rooms and conference facilities of varying sizes available to hire on an hourly, daily or weekly basis, with capacity from 3 to 300 people.
Our large venue hall, complete with stage, bar and PA system is available to hire for conferences, events, parties and social occasions, and is serviced by a fully-licensed bar and in-house catering.
Built in 1840 the building was originally a coal fired gas works, with the river Medina providing the main transport route into Newport in the days before road and rail travel. Quay House, a Victorian property which forms part of the Riverside complex and which is now home to our Active Living programme, was once the Harbour Master’s home.
In more recent times, the Riverside Centre was a council run facility providing opportunities in arts and crafts for the disabled community, before transferring to the care of Community Action Isle of Wight, who still maintain a commitment to the disabled community through its Active Living programme.
These days the Riverside Centre is one of several trading arms of Community Action Isle of Wight, an island-based charity whose sole focus is on providing support to other charities, good causes and voluntary organisations across the island.
Our commercial activity exists to provide opportunities to local people, create employment and fund the charitable endeavours of Community Action Isle of Wight by returning all profits generated through our offering at the Riverside Centre, to support the work of Community Action Isle of Wight here on the island. You can find out more about our charitable work here.
The Riverside Centre is also home to many other community organisations. For enquiries regarding permanent office space, please email cbachelor@theriversidecentre.org.uk
The Riverside Centre is a no-smoking site, between the hours of 8am and 6pm.