Jim Parker: Kents Cavern' new owners 'proud to be part of this stunning place' (that's Torbay)

It is a massive vote of confidence in the English Riviera as a tourism resort and, just as importantly, a place to live, work, visit and invest in.
Tudor Hotels and CEO Rob Cox will testify to that after buying the prehistoric caves and Torquay attraction which were on the market for up to £2.5 million.
About two years ago the company, who have turned Bodmin Jail in Cornwall into a hugely successful and visitor attraction, bought the Redcliffe Hotel in Paignton. Only recently they unveiled fabulous and grandiose plans to transform the Redcliffe and return it to its former historic glory days.
Now comes the Kents Cavern deal with Nick and Sheena Powe, who have been at the Caves for 40 years and leave a family legacy dating back more than 120 years, and more investment.
CEO Rob didn't hesitate to explain why he and his company were ploughing millions of pounds into the Bay economy.
He said: "So pleased with this one. What a fabulous business Nick and Sheena have done a great job. We’re so happy to be the custodians of such an important and historic site. Part of the fabric of this amazing bay and all its rich historic and natural wonders…what a stunning place, we’re very proud to be a small part of it. There are always reasons to be grateful for the past and to embrace the future."
For the Powes it was a deal and match made in heaven - they could not have found a better buyer to look after their 'baby' of so many years.
Nick said: "The new owners will be bringing the Stone Age heritage alive, offering a better visitor experience, exactly what Kents Cavern needs and what I couldn’t do."
He was also quick to add: "I have no doubt the caves, managed by the same excellent team, will go from strength to strength. For me, this investment is yet another demonstration that the English Riviera is well on track to become one of the best visitor destinations in Britain, and Kents Cavern, Britain’s oldest home, will be playing a significant part in that. For that, I am very proud and pleased to have passed the caves on to this new owner.”
Nick felt it was the right time for him and Sheena to go and he was surprised just how quickly the deal was done. Commercial agents Bettesworths, solicitors Wollens and accountants PFK Francis Clark played major roles in delivering the deal.
Nick says: "It sold a lot quicker than I thought it would. It went on the market on May 11 and the sale was completed in early August.
"When they did due diligence it was easy to provide the books and what they wanted. I knew it inside out."
Leaving was pretty swift as well. Nick says: "I am gone. We have stepped away completely. That's it, but the same management team are there. The same team making it work are there.
"In reality, I stepped away a few years ago. I was just overseeing it." But he does admit: "It was like selling the house you have lived in for 40 years."
He revealed the decision to sell was not one taken overnight: "I have been thinking about it for a long time - how we were going to move a step back from it? How were we going to hand it to the kids - we have four children."
He added: "I wanted to run it as a charity, but it needs constant investment just like any other attraction. It was not fair to impose on the kids that kind of obligation."
He has always tried to move the business forward with various initiatives over the years, but he believes Tudor Hotels and Rob Cox are in a far better position to continue that upward journey with the further investment that is needed.
"It is difficult to keep that momentum going," said Nick. "He will just crack on and put more investment in. They are in a position to create something wonderful and bring that living history alive.
"I have been impressed with the new owners. Rob is passionate about the place. I never doubted what he has said. He has been great with the staff. Staff have already exchanged ideas and views with staff down in Bodmin."
Nick was the driving force behind UNESCO granting Torbay Geopark status to officially recognise its environmental and natural history going back millions of years - a perfect link with Kents Cavern and that trip back in history to the days of cave men and women and even in times before.
He can see himself devoting even more time to the Geopark and putting the Bay firmly on the world-wide map taking advantage of that historic billing. Two inspectors have only recently been in the resort carrying a re-evaluation of the Geopark rating and the signs are that we will keep it for another four years.
Nick says: "I felt I created the Geopark. It was my baby. I am still passionate about the Geopark. Now is the time to drive it forward.
"I am excited about the Geopark and where I can now take it Perhaps a visitor centre somewhere?"
Nick is just the man for the job and I'm sure won't be putting his feet up sometime soon.
Meanwhile, the Tudor Hotels investment speaks volumes for our Bay. A Bay people still want to have a piece of and I am sure there is more to come....