Jim Parker: Inspirational champions driving Torbay's prosperity

Start with an opener about South Devon College creating a 'better Bay', add in seafaring adventurer Brendon Prince putting the resort on the world map, throw in a world-renowned developer transforming the English Riviera, round off with a tourism leader giving a sneak preview of sensational advertising videos to woo the holidaymakers to our shores, an innovative Torbay Council initiative to bring some life back to our town centres sandwiched in between and what do you have?

As the much-honoured host, I am, of course, totally and utterly biased, but the answer is the ingredients for an information-packed meeting that should and did inspire the pants off anybody lucky enough to be in the college's Hi-Tech Centre lecture theatre.

This was a Torbay Champions meeting, a kind of relaunch of the Champions network, a group of people who have signed up to shout about and promote the Bay to anybody who will listen or needs to listen. They are the guardians of the Torbay Story, the 'tool' and messaging used to explain what makes our Bay special, special as a place to attract and win over investors and persuade them to put their money into making our Bay fit for the 21str century. A special place to visit and, just as importantly, a place to work and,  last but by now means least, live.

Up and down the country more and more areas and councils are adopting a policy of looking at what they - and their residents - have to offer as a 'place' and then telling their own stories.

The challenge is trying to win people over and convince them that a strategy like the Torbay Story and the qualities of a 'place' is for real, is serious and works with positive outcomes and investment for a new tomorrow.  I keep saying it's not a fad or Mickey Mouse!

The guest speakers at the lecture theatre last week were doing their bit to help win that battle and show what they were bringing to the Torbay Story. (Just a quick mention and word of praise for new Interim Place Manager Jon-paul Hedge for getting them there). 

First up was Kelly Sooben, vice principal of South Devon College which is the third largest employer in the area,caters for around 6,500 students and contributes around £38million to the local economy.

The college is at the heart of everything in the Bay, with a glowing Ofsted report, awards for sustainability and green initiatives and always working and collaborating with key partners. 'Skills and education create a brighter Bay' was Kelly's message. A great story

Then came Lisa Tuck, Torbay Council's Divisional Director, who outlined the new MyBay scheme, in essence a discount card scheme for local residents and for which you get one hour free parking, exclusive discount deals with participating shops and businesses and complimentary use of council toilets. I am tempted to call in the 'pee-and-park' scheme but it is much more important than that! Dozens of businesses and hundreds of residents are already on board. A great story.

From parking to paddle boarding, stand-up paddle boarding to be precise from inspirational world record holder Brendon Prince. Brendon, whose Above Water sea education charity is saving countless lives on a daily basis, outlined plans and aspirations to make Torbay the 'SUP' capital  of the UK and world,  as famous for paddle boarding as Newquay is for surfing. He talked about attracting national and world SUP championships to the English Riviera and taking full advantage of what we take for granted - the 'blue economy', the sea and our natural environment. We are both singing from the same hymn sheet there. The potential of the blue economy is massive. Hence the setting of a new Torbay Water Sports Forum, but that's for another time. Inspirational stuff from Brendon. A great story 

Martin  Tresider, of  Milligan, was the  next for the spotlight. Milligan are working with fellow developers Wilmott Dixon as private sector partners with Torbay Council to deliver a game-changing future for the resort in the Torbay Regeneration Partnership worth £100million.

Milligan aren't exactly small fry in the world of regeneration.  Martin made a point of emphasising that the pictures he was showing on his slides were of actual redeveloped sites and buildings from all over the UK and around the world - they weren't artist's impressions.

Now his plans are to deliver similarly on major redevelopment projects in the Bay, including Union Square in Torquay town centre, the Debenhams site on the harbourside and Crossways and the Victoria Centre area in Paignton town centre. A great story 

Chris Hart is no stranger to regeneration. As CEO, he led his successful law firm Wollens through a huge period of change. He stuck by multi-million pound plans for the regeneration of the Torwood Street area close to the Torquay waterfront which saw Wollens move from much-loved yet antiquated offices to a spanking new and modern offices 'hub'. The project took years in the making but determined Chris and his partners stood firm and haven't looked back since. His appetite for change was a massive vote of confidence in the Bay and was considered by many as a catalyst for future investment from others.

This time he was speaking as chairman  of the English Riviera BID Company, without which there would be little or no marketing of the English Riviera as a holiday destination. He focussed on how the BID company had helped take on South West Water for the damage the recent Crypto water bug outbreak had done to tourism and business in the Bay, especially in Brixham, and how it had helped secure more than £1million compensation for an advertising campaign to alleviate some of that damage.

We were given a sneak preview of some TV ads. They were simply sensational and watching what we had to offer the world at large left a lump in the throat. I need to say no more

A great story. The Torbay Story

The last word from the college's Kelly Sooben: "We already have everything we need in the Bay - let's recognise what we have and use it. Let's champion the Bay."