Torbay champions unite to celebrate English Riviera success

Business leaders, community influencers, and residents have gathered to champion the English Riviera at the latest Torbay Champions event, marking a significant success with approximately 60 attendees.

The event, hosted at TLH Resort's Carlton Hotel in Falkland Road, Torquay, showcased the growing Torbay Champions network, a collective committed to spreading the message that Torbay is an exceptional place to live, work, visit, and invest in.

Utilising the Torbay Story as a powerful tool, the event highlighted the myriad offerings of the English Riviera, from its natural UNESCO-recognised and Geopark environment to its diverse leisure, lifestyle facilities, and thriving hi-tech business and tourism/culture sectors.

Torbay Place Leadership Board Chairman Jim Parker took the stage, explaining how the Torbay Story and the strategic 'place' approach have played a pivotal role in attracting millions of pounds in investment from both private and public sectors in recent months.

The networking event served as a platform for businesses and individuals to share their success stories in Torbay.

Sarah Blackler, Supported Internship Trainer at South Devon College, expressed gratitude to TLH for their support, particularly in providing work placements for college students.

Phil Black from Torbay Council underscored the significance of the English Riviera Air Show, appealing for sponsorship partners to ensure the success of this year's event scheduled for June.

Rob Cox, CEO of the Tudor Hotels Collection, detailed his company's significant investments in Torbay, including the Redcliffe Hotel in Paignton and the prehistoric Kents Cavern in Torquay. Mr Cox emphasised his company's commitment to heritage and history, citing the Bay's unique character and its people as key reasons for their substantial investment.

However, the only disappointment of the evening arose when a member of the audience inquired about the potential revival of Oldway Mansion, receiving a polite but unfortunate 'no' from the speakers.

For more details on Torbay Champions and the Torbay Story, visit torbaystory.co.uk