The Torbay Story is the focus of Business Forum's first meeting

Torbay Business Forum ushered in the start of the New Year with the return of one of its famous business breakfasts.

Having held 117 breakfast events for over 6,000 attendees since 2015, the event has become something of a staple in Torbay’s business calendar.

The first breakfast of 2024, attended by about 70 people focused on investment coming into the region and the Torbay Story project.

The Torbay Story was an initiative that started in 2021 when the Torbay Place Leadership Board spoke with partners, businesses and residents from across Torbay to develop a forward-looking, positive and compelling story of Torbay and the three towns of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.

The idea was to then highlight and emphasise these stories and opportunities to create jobs and attract private and public investment.

Keynote speaker Jim Parker explained: “Torbay is a brilliant place to invest, who can’t agree with that? It’s a marvellous place to live and work and visit and that’s what the Torbay Story is all about.

“We developed three themes that encapsulate Torbay: tech by the bay, a hub for active adventurers and a premier marine and natural experience. The Torbay Story is about mixing those three themes and telling people what a great place the English Riviera is.”

However, the Torbay Story isn’t just to showcase Torbay, but to also attract vital investment. Jim explained: “We went to St James Square in London a few months ago with the ambition of talking to investors and explaining to them the Torbay Story, so they would put their hands in their back pockets and put some money into the English Riviera.

“It was amazing how many people knew where Torbay was but didn’t know what we had to offer.”

From the platform of the Torbay Story, millions have been raised from public grants and private partnerships.

Jim added: “This is massive, massive funding, £200 million of dosh all on the back of the Torbay Story. The challenge now is we’ve got to spend it. We have time limits to deliver this money and these schemes.”

It wasn’t just the Torbay Story on the agenda. Silver sponsors of the event, JR Pat Testing, also explained the launch of its new Shoutout Section, in which the company would support and promote great people, causes and initiatives across the communities that they work in.

The event was also kindly sponsored by Cavanna Homes.

Steve Reynolds, Chairman of the Business Forum, said: “As always, it’s fantastic to see the business community come together like this and 2024 is set to be an exciting year for Torbay.

“Thanks very much to our sponsors, to everyone that helps coordinate this at the Riviera Centre and of course to everyone for coming.”