New £20 million boost in battle to breathe life into Torquay town centre

Torbay is to get an extra £20 million in government funding in the battle to breathe new life into Torquay town centre.

Torbay MP Kevin Foster has given a warm welcome to the Prime Minister’s announcement of further funding to support the regeneration of the town, bringing the overall funding total to £41.9 million.

The Government has announced Torquay will be one 55 towns which will benefit from a £1.1 billion levelling up investment, as part of a long-term plan for towns. Each will be given £20 million of endowment-style funds over 10 years to invest in local people’s priorities, like regenerating local high streets and town centres or securing public safety. The funding is in addition to the existing £21.9m Government funding package for the Torquay Town Deal. 

The work will be overseen by a Town Board, bringing together community leaders, employers, local authorities, and the local MP, to deliver the Long-Term Plan for their town. They will also be able to use a suite of regeneration powers to unlock more private sector investment by auctioning empty high street shops, reforming licensing rules on shops and restaurants, and supporting more housing in town centres.

This funding boost also follows the Government announcing that a new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) would be opening in Torquay Town Centre next year. The CDC project will see a derelict former supermarket in Market Street converted into a state-of-the-art medical facility able to conduct up to 36,971 checks, tests and scans a year.

Mr Kevin Foster, who earlier this month raised the need to drive forward Town Centre Regeneration at Prime Minister’s Questions, said: "This latest funding boost is fantastic news, bringing the Government’s support for Torquay’s regeneration to a staggering £41.9 million It is exactly what was needed after the loss of Wilkos and will help drive change in our town, with derelict sites becoming new homes, businesses and cultural venues.”

He added: "I know most people will have one question: When will work start? Since May the new Conservative Leaders of Torbay Council have been getting to work on ensuring we finally get shovels in the ground and deliver the regeneration Torquay deserves and needs.”

The government says more than half the population live in towns, but half-empty high streets, run-down town centres and anti-social behaviour undermine towns in every part of the UK. Today’s announcement marks a change in approach that will put an end to people feeling like their town is ignored by Westminster and empower communities to take back control of their future, taking long term decisions in the interests of local people.   

This plan builds on the Government’s central mission to level up the UK by putting more power and money in the hands of people who know their areas best to build a brighter future for their community, creating bespoke initiatives that will spark the regeneration needed.    

The Long-Term Plan for Towns will require town boards to develop their own long-term plan for their town, with funding over 10 years and aligned to the issues that research shows people want the most, including:  

* Improving transport and connections to make travel easier for residents and increase visitor numbers in centres to boost opportunities for small businesses and create jobs.
* Tackling crime and anti social behaviour to keep residents safe and encourage visitors through better security measures and hotspot policing.
* Enhancing town centres to make high streets more attractive and accessible, including repurposing empty shops for new housing, creating more green spaces, cleaning up streets or running market days.      
Town Boards will have direct government support in addition to the funding and powers they receive through Long-Term Plan for Towns, and will be required to engage local people on their long-term plan. 

The Government has also announced a new ‘Towns Taskforce' sitting in the Department for Levelling Up and reporting directly to the Prime Minister and Levelling Up Secretary. This will help town boards to develop their plans, and advise them on how best to take advantage of government policies, unlock private and philanthropic investment and work with communities.   

Paignton has already been awarded more than £13 million in Future High Street funding.