Jim Parker: Is Torquay's Factory Row the problem or solution?

Factory Row, always the elephant in the room when it comes to Castle Circus and all the drink, drugs and anti-social behaviour problems which the area has, unfortunately, become renowned for. 

But is the homeless hostel to blame for all the problems up there? Should it be closed and will that solve all those issues? Million dollar questions which are being raised more and more now as that elephant openly becomes one of the main topics of the conversation when it comes to creating a vibrant town centre and brighter future for the town.

ASB, drink and drugs problems are not only a problem on the Bay's doorstep, they are UK wide. But they are in the spotlight as millions of pounds in public and private sector money is being spent on regenerating other parts of the town like the recent Union Square plans. What's the point if Castle Circus remains a 'no-go' area and does nothing to enhance the reputation of the English Riviera for locals and visitors alike, some may ask.

Then we have serious incidents of violent crime up there, the latest being a stabbing. It is not clear if the incident was linked to the hostel and the vulnerable people it looks after and attracts. But is perceived to be the case an that is becoming the issue today - Factory Row is perceived to go hand in hand with trouble and that can be more damaging and challenging than actual reality.

Torbay Council has taken over the management of the hostel and is in the throes of buying it. Changes for the better are taking place, but closure does not appear to be one of them.

It is hoped regeneration schemes, which will include more residential and homes, will increase footfall and decrease some of these problems.

But council leader Dave Thomas says: "I have said on more than one occasion that you cannot expect brilliant new regeneration buildings to resolve all our problems."

He added: "It will be part of the solution but ASB is a massive concern to myself and this administration."

He said that is why they set up Operation Town Centres to try and tackle ASB and the other issues.

He says: "We put £300,000 in our budget last year and we want to increase that by another £200,000 this year. That's £500,000 on ASB and working with the police and enforcement in the town centre. But what happened last week (with the stabbing incident) demonstrates just how big the problem is.

"We do not know if that incident was related to Factory Row. But it is about how people feel about the town. It is not just a case of actual ASB, it is the fear of ASB."

He added: "I talk to other council leaders across the country and it is not just Torbay with this problem.

We are doing everything we can within the parameters that we have to bring about change. These are deep-rooted social issues that have affected Torbay for as long as I have been a councillor and that is 19 years. 

"With the cost of living crisis and other things in the world things are escalating. They are not reducing at all and people are getting into difficulties. It means we have to double our efforts. This is like trying to turn a tank around. There is no silver bullet."

He says: "Factory Row has changed significantly. It used to be a night hostel for people to come in off the streets for one, two or three nights. If you get back to the function it was designed for, it could be a different place."

And that is part of the change taking place albeit very quietly.

Cllr Thomas says: "We are looking at all options. We are looking at a dispersal model and not having all these individuals in one place at one time."

That means finding other accommodation out in the community and all kinds of support that some people need.

"It will be a case of working together with the community," says Cllr Thomas. "When you are talking about communities with something like this that brings with it its own difficulties."

He revealed: "We have a small part of a dispersal model across the Bay at the moment. They are working in some locations because we have support around these individuals. There are about 20 individuals now living out in the community and getting on with the community.

"I do recognise that the dispersal model is not an easy solution. There are lots of difficulties with it.

"If there was a simpler solution all of the local authorities would have done it.  It is a balancing act. It is not easy."

He adds: "I do recognise that Factory Row is a significant player in the whole of this conversation. I do not believe that closing it is the answer.  I do believe we have to a different model and that is a dispersal model. How we get there is difficult. It is a case of taking the community with us at the same time."

He believes: "If I was to fast forward 20 years I would not see a Factory Row being in that location. Torquay is going to be very different to how it is today with a lot of the town residential. The Union Square development is the catalyst for that. People can see the town is changing and are going to say 'we are going to invest in this' You start changing the whole top end of the town."

In all this it is fair to say that some people, including traders, are fed up with Castle Circus and want to see, rightly or wrongly, Factory Row closed.

David Rowe, a town centre jeweller for 50 years, says: "I have had enough. It is driving people out of town with the ASB and the link with Factory Row.

"Trade is being affected. There is no passing trade. If I had a quid for ever time somebody told me about how bad it was I would be able to retire."

He added: "They have to fix Factory Row at the same time (as Union Square). If they leave it as it is it will only make matters worse and nobody will want to live in a flat in the town. It needs to be closed and relocated.

"I am frankly at my wits end. Myself and others are trying to run a business, employing staff who are frightened and feel threatened when they walk in this area. The public are avoiding the town like a plague and it is costing my business and others dearly. 

"If the Council insists pursuing with this centre in such a ridiculous and horrid location they should put full time physical security in place without delay just as they insist with night clubs and bars, even McDonalds and the Job centre have security."

Good money has been spent on actively trying to tackle those issues. Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has worked with the local authority and its safer community and streets partnership with almost £2million spent in the last couple of years on police operations, enforcement orders, ASB lawyers, hotspot policing, street marshalls and a mobile police as well as a new public/private sector Torquay Street Focus initiative.

The result and success of all that investment is difficult to see but what's needed is visual, tangible measures like removing benches and some parking spaces (they can always be reinstated) being used for drugs purposes and quickly improve the look of some buildings for quick wins which will give confidence to locals like David Rowe.

Cllr Thomas says Factory Row has done the job for which it was originally intended by taking people off the streets. 

He adds: "The community gave me lots of grief about tents in the high street. We have been able to deal with that. Rather than promising something that is not achievable we need to work through what we have and how we can make the changes and make it a different place.

"We close Factory Row tomorrow. It has gone. Do all the problems disappear? I do not think they do. These individuals will decant from Factory Row and sleep in David Rowe's shop doorway."