What the Torbay Today readers are saying

Although much of the Bay spent last week, once again, sheltering from stormy weather, many of our readers were busy engaging in interesting conversations beneath the headlines on our Facebook page. 

As responses continued to roll in regarding the delayed funding for Torbay Hospital, Sarah Angela shared her disappointment, saying: “Surprise, surprise, and Labour Plymouth got their funding. Torbay has been a good hospital, so it’s a pity we’ve been bumped back. Labour isn’t interested in us at all. Can’t see the Lib Dems having any influence over anything. I voted Labour thinking they’d give us a much-needed reset, but so far, it’s been disappointing. Hey ho, what’s new?”

But Tracy Craze countered: “Remember, it’s been over 14 years of a Tory government that promised new hospitals, but nothing happened. It’s a mess that will take years to sort out. We’re only six months into the new government.”

A comment from former Torbay MP, Kevin Foster, triggered a somewhat displeased thread of replies. 

One such reply was from Matt Pope, who said: “Whereas if we had voted for another Tory government, we would still have no hospital redevelopment but probably would have had at least two more PMs, more corrupt money sent to Tory mates, unlawful and immoral immigration pledges (without action anyway), and pledges of free unicorns for all. Your current leader has admitted and apologised for making announcements without plans, yet here you are, 'Photo Op,' still harping on one of those same fantasy announcements (40 new hospitals) in a desperate attempt to stay relevant.”

Meanwhile, a separate discussion raised eyebrows about a new 73-home development in Torbay. 

Rosemary Coleman expressed concern that only two homes were set aside for social housing. However, Al Macphee clarified that the article actually states there will be 22 homes designated for social housing.

Responding to the national news that Sainsbury’s is cutting 3,000 jobs due to major restructuring, Tereza Sunderland criticised the supermarket’s post-Covid business model, writing: “If there are other people like me, I used to spend at least £80 a week pre-Covid and now spend maybe £17 per week because of their price rises and the new nectar prices! I now shop at Aldi mostly!”

Louise Jones suggested self-checkouts as part of the problem: “National Insurance rises and serving yourself has led us this way. Why anyone uses the machines that put people out of jobs boggles me.

“The supermarket gets us to do the job of the cashier who. They would have contributed taxes, national insurance, and pensions. And yet, people gleefully use them.”

David Watkins added: “Always found their café pretty busy at Willows. Sincerely hope all the staff will be redeployed.”

Some people were unconvinced by Pennon, South West Water’s parent company’s £3.2billion improvement programme.

Norman Rogers said: “Well our water bill has gone up by 30 per cent, so I guess we all know who’s paying.”

Martin Brook, however, offered a more positive view of the plans: “Excellent aspirations…As we are all made to pay more, this outlines how it will be spent… If achieved, then great results and at a fraction of the cost and time compared to Lib Dem proposals.”

A guest column by Nick Bye, a Conservative councillor and a well-known figure in the Bay, stirred debate about economic development, elections, and local infrastructure.

Sarah Angela said: “The Hotel at Corbyn's Head looks quite horrid, and I hope they paint over the orange bits. My understanding about the hotel replacing the palace was that there was some backtracking on affordable houses, or if not that, they/Fragrance changed the goalposts. I know there are consultation processes, etc. but with, say, Union Square—aren’t we supposed to be thinking of bringing shops down? To keep activity near the Strand and Harbourside, could the council get a petition up to protest against the funding delay on Torbay Hospital along with other initiatives? That would be a really good example of the council working together.”

Adam Garrett said: “Palace Hotel was a smokescreen for the housing development. The Corbyn Head Hotel is an eyesore. And what the planning department has done at the strand shows a lack of planning, management, and contractor control. It was supposed to be completed by October 2024.”

Finally, Kevin Dixon, a local historian whose column is highly popular with readers, contributed a fascinating piece about Napoleon potentially fathering a Torbay baby.

Keith Holman responded: “My father always thought he was related to the harbour master, but that was 60 years ago!”