Easter and summer looking better for Torquay Harbour as businesses unite

Torquay Harbourside is open for business this Easter, as traders celebrate the news that two-way free-flowing traffic will be back in place over the holidays.

The traffic around The Strand and waterfront is currently one-way with four-way traffic lights, which has caused a difficult start to 2024 for many traders.

However, with the announcement of two-way traffic, alongside the opening of a further 300 parking spaces in the Harbour car park, businesses are inviting locals and visitors alike to a taste of the very best of Torbay’s independent restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and venues.

The announcement comes at a time when many traders were concerned about how the ongoing works were to affect their business in the school holidays, a period that’s crucial for so many Torbay businesses. Since January footfall to the Harbour has dropped by around 30% year on year.

Anthony Jones is the owner of restaurants Otto and Twenty1. Over the past two months, Anthony has spearheaded a campaign with scores of other harbourside businesses, to share their concerns with Torbay Council.

These growing concerns relate to traffic queues, site management, signage, the timescale for the works and most importantly the proposed phasing of the project with traffic management, all of which have been negatively impacting trading conditions.

Having worked at almost every establishment along Torquay’s waterfront since 1997, Anthony knows exactly what it takes to create a thriving business on the Harbour.

“I moved down here after my parents came down to buy a hotel in 1996,” said Anthony.

“It becomes your home really quickly.”

After running a small bar called Prestige, Anthony started Twenty1 in 2018. Despite the Covid lockdowns, Twenty1 gained instant popularity with locals and visitors for its unique interior, quality of food and, of course, the view of the Harbour.

Then, last year Anthony opened Otto on the other side of the Harbour. A modern take on the service industry, Otto offers a casual but upmarket dining experience, while also being a cafe, pizza house, al fresco drinks spot and bar.

However, as is the case for many businesses, the going has been tough. A pandemic followed by soaring energy and wage bills as well as a cost of living crisis has squeezed restaurants and bars across the country.

Harbourside traders worry that the disruption caused by the redevelopment of Torquay Harbour could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

“The situation was getting very concerning for all of us, my biggest fear was shutdowns throughout July and August,” Anthony explained.

Anthony called a meeting with the traders around the Harbour and worked together to make their worries heard.

Anthony said: “Ultimately, we are happy with this investment, it was very needed. It’s just the timing of the phases and how long it's going to take which has been the issue.

“We didn’t quite know how bad it would be until the harsh reality of the traffic lights set in, with queues leading across the seafront and beyond.”

Many of the traders have reported a decrease in revenue ranging between 20% and 30%.

The loss of trade could cause local businesses to close entirely if their season is disrupted too heavily, having a major impact not just on the Harbour, but on thousands of jobs directly and indirectly associated with the tourism industry.

However, after working with the council, a new plan was put forward, which will see two-way free-flowing traffic throughout one of the most important periods of the year; the Easter Holiday.

Anthony said: “We do thank the council for listening to our concerns and taking some positive action.

“We are still fighting to open the road fully from the second May bank holiday onwards, this is hugely critical that this is in place for the whole town and the speed of the project has to increase to ensure this timeline is met.

“Imagine the traffic congestion during the school holidays in May. The thought of this for Torquay is unbearable, given what we are seeing right now in pre-season.”  

He added: “That said, we are delighted that we are getting two-way free-flowing traffic back again along the Strand for the Easter Holidays. Easter is such a vital time for trade, and we are urging locals and visitors to come to the Harbour and support local businesses. All we pray for now is some good weather.”

Torbay Council officers have also begun to explore alternative options for completing the remaining phases of the project.
After calling a meeting with traders, Anthony confirmed at local businesses now have the opportunity to continually review the project.

He said: “It is vital that we minimise damage to trade and continue looking at additional initiatives to help encourage visitor numbers, after what has been a very painful 5/6 months for all. We are all very excited about how the final project will look but being such a holiday destination, we must ensure minimum disruption through the main season.

He added: “We are obviously very pleased to hear that two-way traffic will also now be in place for the summer holidays which is confirmed in writing also.”

Once the works are completed, the Strand will be transformed into a ‘piazza’ style open area, which can be used for music, events, markets and more.

While the work is being done, however, Torquay’s iconic Harbour still has so much to offer visitors and residents alike.

Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive Officer of English Riviera BID Company, explained: “For lovers of the English Riviera, Torquay Harbourside is a very special place to visit, it’s a truly iconic part of the Bay.

“The Harbour is all about al fresco living: it’s contemporary and exciting. It’s full of great places to eat and drink and spend a whole day together with friends and family.”

Anthony added: “The famous Torquay Harbourside is, if honest, a standalone tourist attraction for all visitors and we highly appreciate the much-needed investment into this area. We are of course hoping that the finished product will attract more visitors not only to Torquay but to the English Riviera as a whole destination.

"The Harbourside right this second has a huge number of incredibly independently run businesses and we need to protect them as much as possible to ensure both local employment and that our local economy does not decline.”

“These people care deeply about Torquay and its future, they want nothing more than to see some much-needed positive light shone on our hometown.”