Torbay Weekly Rewind: A look back at March’s top stories

March was once again a month of redevelopment for Torbay, with readers most engaged by stories blending ambitious new projects and the town’s cherished landmarks.

The former Living Coasts site took a major step towards a new future as ARC Marine signed an exclusivity agreement with Torbay Council and the Wild Planet Trust to develop a state-of-the-art marine restoration centre. The project will transform the coastal attraction into a hub for ocean conservation, research and education, supporting habitat restoration and sustainable marine initiatives. With much of the ARC Marine team local to Torbay, the new centre promises skilled jobs, innovation, and international collaboration, boosting the Bay’s reputation in marine science.

After weeks of speculation, Torquay’s oldest pub, The Hole in the Wall, confirmed it would cease trading in April. Financial pressures from rising supplier costs and prolonged roadworks along The Strand proved too great, ending a centuries-long legacy. 

Meanwhile, March saw plans unveiled for a £70 million, 154-room boutique hotel on Torquay’s harbourside, offering a glimpse of a new era for the town centre. The development, which included ground-floor commercial space and improved connections to The Terrace, was expected to create around 80 full-time jobs and attract thousands of visitors over the next 30 years. The scheme aimed to breathe new life into the former Debenhams site, with a full public consultation scheduled for summer 2025.

This is part of our Torbay Weekly Rewind series, looking back at the key stories from each month over the past year. Missed a month? Explore our other monthly rewinds here, with more to come:

- December 2024: HERE

- January 2025: HERE

- February 2025: HERE