Jim Parker: Now it's the Redcliffe's turn for a huge slice of the regeneration cake

What a great night was had at the Torbay Weekly Naturally Inspiring Business Awards with success and celebration all around.
I just can't thank enough those who have supported the awards and made them possible in the first place. I honestly thought that last year's inaugural event when emotions were running high after Covid would take some beating but I was wrong. You beat it.
It was just fabulous seeing so many faces - some well-known and others not so well-known - at the finals night.
It was the night the two 'T's emerged as the driving force of business in the Bay - Tourism, our bread and butter industry, and Tech, the hi-tech firms quietly doing world pioneering work who finally came out to play and celebrate, including overall Business of the Year QLM Technology.
There was huge interest in what they do and they were welcomed with open arms including those of English Riviera BID Company chief executive Carolyn Custerson. Carolyn was also keen to emphasis the importance of tourism and hospitality to the Bay, generating millions of pounds to the local economy and creating thousands of jobs.
The importance of the sector was emphasised this week with yet another major regeneration project. And it's Paignton seafront that is to benefit again with huge refurbishment plans for the Redcliffe Hotel making great company for the two Fragrance hotels built and being built just up the promenade road.
The Grade II Listed Redcliffe, is now owned by The Tudor Hotels Collection who bought it after decades in the ownership of the Twigger family.
Quite simply they want to return it to its former glory and must be spending millions in the process.

They know what they are doing - after transforming Bodmin Jail into a popular and hugely successful hotel destination!
Tudor want to 'renovate the existing building at the Redcliffe turning the hotel back into a beautiful and celebrated architectural landmark offering a great place to visit, with fitness and spa areas, and luxurious guest rooms.'

A spokesman said: "The project will include works to improve the interior and exterior of the building. The project vision includes the intention to retain and enhance the key historic features and renovate the later additions to respond to the functional and aspirational quality of the vision. The scheme will include re-vitalising the landscaping and setting of the building and re-invigorating the building as an architectural landmark on Paignton’s seafront. The aim of the design is to embody the project vision and support the surrounding regeneration and Tudor Hotel’s core values."

Works to the hotel which dates back to 1860 include:

• Re-plan hotel to create high quality premium brand and guest experience. Reduce number of guest rooms from 70 to 53 which includes converting the function room into guest rooms at ground floor.
• Re-design of the layout of the reception/entrance opening the view of the curve of the rotunda, improved levels, and view through to the seafront. This will include a new entrance to replace the current 20th Century entrance extension.

• Re-introduce public restaurant/bar in the West wing, enhance spa facilities, hotel bar and hotel dining.

• Inclusion of a new lift and platform lift to improve access through the different levels of the existing building.

• Omit the three external fire escape stairs and re-plan to be accommodated within the building (i.e., make internal).

• Updated car park layout to improve arrival experience, car parking layout, level access with reception, retention of existing trees, segregation of driveway access to neighbouring flats, enhancement of formal gardens South and East.
• Enhancement of the seafront landscape to re-instate elements of historic layout to improve setting of the building and visitor experience.

• Improving the external façades; remove/rationalise external pipework, upgrade façades to improve performance and external aesthetic, re-instatement, or enhancement of historic features.

• Upgrade the internal and external fabric of the building where possible to increase the environmental performance, sustainability, and fire safety.
The spokesman said: "There are questionnaires at the hotel to complete if you would like to provide feedback during this phase of the public consultation. These will be available to fill in from June 14 to 30."
What a great project with quality at its centre. Paignton is being brought back to life by these kind of projects. Perhaps there is hope yet for Oldway and the Pavilion!