Jim Parker: Inspirational Rehan is just what Bay needs as Now is the Time2 beckons...

I just thought it was time to shout about the good things in the Bay and bring people and groups, organisations and businesses together to put on a united front and deliver a better future for all of us.
I was in the privileged position of being the Editor of a local newspaper at the time which was the ideal vehicle and platform to launch and run the campaign.
Who was I? I was, and am, nothing more than a local journalist, resident, husband, dad and grandad but I just felt we had to stop the Bay being viewed as a 'basket case', where the drawbridge was always up to keep out nosy neighbours, where there was so much fragmentation from different splinter groups and where the vocal minority ruled over the silent majority, halting and hindering such badly needed progress. We had so many good things to shout about. We just needed to shout about them with a united voice. And with a lot of passion.
Key business and community leaders bought into the idea. Now is the Time was adopted by the former Torbay Together partnership which brought together private, public and community sectors and is now the Torbay Place Leadership Board and its Torbay Story tool/initiative telling people and investors what a great place the English Riviera is to live, work, visit and invest in.
Suddenly, the drawbridge came down and Torbay was being put on the map. Former Growth Minister Jake Berry liked what we were doing and I am convinced that had a lot to do with the government awarding almost £40 million in regeneration funding to give our town centres in Torquay and Paignton a much-needed kiss of life.
But then something called Covid got in the way. For more than two years, people were petrified to venture outside their front door let alone go to work on local building sites. Brexit, the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis also did tremendous damage to those regeneration aspirations and dreams
The government cash is still waiting to be spent. Building costs have gone through the roof. Investors are still cautious - although some are showing a huge interest in the English Riviera as we speak.
Rumblings of discontent are becoming louder. Patience is being tested and the nay-sayers are waiting in the wings.
I feared the worst when I heard about a new action group being set up in the Bay and even more so when I heard who was behind it. Rehan Uddin set up the Torbay Revolutionary Owners Network (TRON), a closed, invite-only Facebook group, a couple of weeks ago and its was already gaining momentum. Rehan is not only director of the Indi-Yang restaurant in Belgrave Road, Torquay, he is also an inspirational, highly influential and national voice as managing director of the UK's Asian Restaurant Owner's Network.
TRON targets three main areas for action in its mission - drug use and open drug using in Torbay town areas; an increase in all year round footfall and events and festivals in the off season and easier access and better support towards businesses looking to grow.
It says the 'Bay's biggest Brainstorm is brewing' where they want businesses to come up with solutions for that better future we are all desperately trying to create.
When I heard the word 'revolutionary' I had visions of marches through the town centres, placards and soap-box speeches undoing any good that has been done even in these frustrating times.
Couldn't be further from the truth for the goals for Rehan or TRON. 'Revolutionary' means a modern-way of doing things and the ultimate aim is for businesses of all shapes and sizes to unite with one voice and come up with ideas and collaboration to deliver future prosperity.
Rehan says: "We are not out to make trouble or stir things up. We are a private group and anybody trying to do that is kicked out. We have some serious rules and we want work with the council, not against them. We want to work with everybody and anybody.
"We need to be more informed. Lines of communication have got cut. As business owners how do we integrate with the people running the show?To start with people were angry because things are not going their way. They have calmed down now.
"We are going to work alongside the councillors and the new Tory administration. We are not here to cause trouble. We just want to know how we can help from a business owners perspective with information from the ground.
"When people ask to join they have to tell us how they are going to make Torbay a better place."
Interestingly, TRON talks about 'calling upon the entire business community of Torbay to unite under one roof, breaking down the barriers that have historically segregated us into accommodation, food and drink, and retail sectors. Together, we will voice our concerns and champion proactive collaboration as the driving force behind real change. Together, let us create a unified front that demands accountability, transparency, and progress from Torbay council. By leveraging the power of collaboration and technological advancements, we will ensure that the promises of change and rejuvenation become a reality, fulfilling the long-held aspirations of the business community in Torbay."
A much-mooted joint tourism/retail BID immediately springs to mind, but that may be for another day.
As for your humble journalist ... Now is the Time2 beckons. Anybody up for it?