Jim Parker: Triumph for the Torbay Story... better than the tale of Magaluf

One minute promoting the Bay at what must be one of, if not the biggest, conferences of its kind in the country.

The next trying to survive four days in Magaluf. Yep Papa Parker, the wrong side of 60, at one of the party capitals of the world where it would appear everything and anything goes. The first few days were devoted to the UKREiiF, the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Conference, where more than 13,000 exhibitors and visitors packed into the Royal Armouries in the centre of Leeds. The event brings together local authorities, business and wealthy investors with regeneration and paving the way for game-changing redevelopment deals at the top of the agenda.

There were some big names and players in the room who dwarfed Torbay but in size, not necessarily stature. We took our Torbay Story stand to the conference and exhibition for the first time last year with nothing more than a few bright and colourful Story books, a powerpoint presentation and paper cones full of savoury and chocolate miniature fish and chips.

We thought we had no chance of competing but we were pleasantly surprised and delighted with the feedback and attention we received. The proof of the pudding and value of taking part was a £100m regeneration deal struck with developers and investors Willmott Dixon and Milligan just a few months later. As we speak, they are looking to deliver face-changing redevelopment schemes in Torquay and Paignton town centres. 

This year Stuart Harris and Chris Wheeler from Milligan and Wilmott Dixon respectively, joined Torbay Council chief executive Anne Marie Bond, council leader Dave Thomas and yours truly as chair of the Torbay Place Leadership Board at special panel and Q and A session to explain just how a small unitary authority like Torbay had managed to secure such a massive partnership deal. Council chief Mrs Bond was also one of the guest speakers at a showcase event which signalled the start of the conference. Sensational profile for our Bay.

The council and two private sector partners were looking for more investors and further investment in the Torbay Story.

The interest in the Torbay stand was truly remarkable. Perhaps it was the miniature fish and chips, which went down a treat for the second year running, or a competition to win a short break at the new Mercure Hotel on Paignton. It may have even been the bottles of Bays Brewery beer making their Leeds debut. Whatever the reason, the English Riviera was punching well above its weight. Fingers crossed for that further investment. And then there was Magaluf!

The trip was a stag four-dayer for my brother's son who is getting married back in Spain later this year. The weather was brilliant, the hotel complete with a rooftop pool, superb and the company, considering they were all young men in their 30sa looking after two or three doddery gents, was heartwarming, faultless and simply nice. I was warned about Magaluf so I was surprised to see so many families there. That said, I can see why some families would choose the Spanish hotspot for a holiday. The beach, seafront, restaurants and bars were a delight and rammed - one establishment must have had such a busy night they gave their staff the day off the following day for a rest. The beach club, however, was something else as those worse for wear and literally legless were dragged out by security guards as party-goers clapped and cheered their drunken Gladiators.

'The Strip'. back in town  and jam-packed with bars, restaurants of all shapes and sizes is definitely not for the faint-hearted with a giant black man taking centre stage by lifting people high above his head for a fistful of Euros of course, young bar-working girls trying to get a 'shot' down your neck whichever way you turned and iffy looking young men offering to 'sort you out for the night' and he most definitely was not talking about a cup of cocoa.

(Cafe in Magaluf)

My young compatriots wouldn't let me walk home by myself but insisted on escorting me back to the hotel, not because I had become another one of those beach club Gladiators but because they felt it safer. It was a lovely gesture but it also reminded me of my age and just how lucky I was to call a place like Torbay my home....