First look at revamped Paignton after multi-million-pound transformation

This is how a new-look Station Square in Paignton town centre could look after a multi-million-pound regeneration facelift.

Torbay Council has unveiled the new images and has announced that work will start on two of Paignton’s community-led transformational projects from early next year.

The two 'significant projects' are aimed at transforming Paignton town centre—bringing the total number of UK government-funded improvement projects underway in the town centre to four.

With weeks to go until construction teams move in, the council has emphasised: "Paignton will remain open and accessible for shoppers, businesses, and visitors."

Each project coming forward has been developed in line with the Local Plan, Paignton Masterplan, Paignton Neighbourhood Plan, and the Torbay Heritage Strategy.

The two newly released images show how the design focuses on modernising the heart of the town centre by improving public spaces, connectivity between areas, and introducing new landscaping to create a vibrant and welcoming environment.

To ensure the final scheme meets the needs of businesses, pedestrians, and motorists, different layouts have been trialled and feedback captured. With the scheme design finalised and agreed upon with key stakeholders, a contractor has been appointed, and work is anticipated to start in the early months of the new year.

The council says that details on the programme and phasing of works are in the process of being developed with the contractor (also in liaison with Network Rail and Great Western Railway) and will be shared with businesses and the community in due course.

Torbay Road Improvements will be made in phases, beginning with the creation of new spaces for blue badge holders and Hackney taxi ranks. New proposed taxi car ranks will be introduced at the eastern and western ends of Torbay Road. By introducing the taxi ranks ahead of the Station Square works starting, the council can ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements for drivers and passengers.

Above: Aerial view of how Station Square in Paignton town centre could look. Image: Torbay Council

To further support the Hackney trade during the Station Square improvement works, a temporary rank will be introduced on Hyde Road. This rank will not be put in place or operational until work on Station Square starts (date to be confirmed in the new year).

The Torbay Road works programme is in the process of being finalised. It is proposed that works on Torbay Road will commence early in the new year and prior to the main works starting on Station Square.

In early 2025, a phased programme of demolition work at the Victoria Centre starts with the bringing down of the multi-storey car park.

On Sunday, January 5, Victoria multi-storey car park will be closing permanently, and the contractor, Wrings Group, will start enabling and demolition works from Monday, January 6.

Businesses operating within the Victoria Centre and surrounding areas will remain open and accessible.

In preparation for the closure of the multi-storey car park, a new temporary surface-level car park has been created on Hyde Road.

Demolition work will be carried out in three phases. At the end of the first phase of the demolition programme, expected to be completed by mid-April, work will start to construct a temporary surface-level car park, with spaces being released sequentially, with the aim to have hundreds of these spaces available for next summer.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said: “These projects are exciting for Paignton as we start a new chapter for the town. 

"The community-led plans want to see the area rejuvenated, businesses being attracted back into the town, and the creation of new homes for local people. By improving the look and feel of Station Square, we’re providing a pleasant and welcoming space for everyone that visits Paignton. New seating, planting, and space for pop-up concession stands will give the heart of the town a new lease of life.

“The demolition of the Victoria Centre is an important step towards releasing the land for redevelopment and supports the council in bringing forward the site for development with its regeneration partners—Willmott Dixon and Milligan.

“Throughout all works happening in 2025 and beyond, it is important to remember that Paignton will remain open; please keep visiting and supporting the town centre.”

In preparation for Victoria multi-storey car parking closing, a temporary surface-level car opened at the end of November on Hyde Road. 

Over 100 step-free, pay-and-display parking spaces are available 24 hours a day, with provision for blue badge holders and motorcycles. Off-street and on-street parking can also be found in and around the town centre. 

Ending on Thursday, January 2, the council’s ‘Pay for an hour, stay for the day’ parking promotion is running in Victoria multi-storey car park and Hyde Road car park.

Work is underway by the Council and its regeneration partners to bring forward a revised option for the former Crossways shopping arcade site that will deliver around 90 extra care homes. 

It is proposed to bring forward a new planning application for this site in the middle of 2025. In the meantime, the site will be used as a temporary surface-level car park (Hyde Road car park) to help maintain town centre parking provision during the demolition of Victoria multi-storey car park.

Torbay Council, Arts Council England, and Paignton Picture House Trust are working together to deliver the full restoration of Paignton Picture House in line with the Paignton Town Centre Masterplan (2015). The project will see one of Europe’s earliest purpose-built cinemas restored into a vibrant Paignton and Preston Promenade Scheme.

The Paignton and Preston Promenade scheme will provide high-quality coastal defences and public realm. The defences are essential to protect the future of the seafronts, residential properties, businesses, and the town centre. The scheme includes enhanced public spaces with space for locals and visitors to make the most of this stunning area of Torbay.

Torbay Council is now in the final stages of the tender process to appoint a developer for the scheme. The council will provide more detail, including construction timelines and detail on phasing of the works, in early 2025.

At the end of 2020, Torbay Council was successful in securing £13.36million of Future High Street Funding for Paignton to deliver infrastructure improvements, new homes in the town centre, and an enhanced cultural offer.

Since Future High Street Funding was secured, there have been considerable inflationary pressures, which saw costs escalate and, in some cases, made some projects unviable.

To address this problem, Torbay Council sought a regeneration partner. Since the autumn of 2023, the council has been working with Willmott Dixon and Milligan to bring forward revised options for key sites and areas for redevelopment and improvement across Torbay.

Paignton’s regeneration programme is complemented by private sector investment, with the delivery of two new hotels on the seafront and new hospitality venues at Paignton Harbour.

A resident engagement event focusing on regeneration in Paignton is being planned for late January in the town centre.