£3million 'apart-hotel' plan for former Torquay casino gets go-ahead

Holiday firm boss Mark Wright's gamble to transform a former casino into quality tourism accommodation has finally paid off to give the Bay a £3million vote of confidence.
Mark, who owns the well-known hotels and coaching business, Majestic Tours, has won a nigh-on three-year battle with planners to turn the former Gentings Casino in Abbey Road into a luxury complex of 18 ‘aparthotels’.

One of the most passionate champions of the English Riviera and Torquay, he said: “It’s our home, our livelihood and we love it.”
Majestic operates the Templestowe Hotel next door to the former casino.
Mark added: “We are trying to make a difference. It is hard work up here. It was starting to become a mess. We need to improve the top of the town. We hope this development will enhance the neighbourhood while also uplifting the people living here, offering them a brighter future and potential local job opportunities.”
He said: “We are delighted that we have finally been granted approval to re-develop the old casino. It’s not been easy. We had hoped we would have been given the go-ahead over a year ago. The previous Liberal and Conservative council leaders were all on board, as was former MP Kevin Foster, the old Torbay Development Agency and the Tourism Company.
“Unfortunately, the planners were concerned about the roof line and the view from Croft Road. We have therefore had to make amendments to the original plans. Although not as impressive as the original, and certainly not as attractive as holiday lets due to the lack of natural light, they have agreed to the more modest plans.
“All being well, we should start the renovations in September. It will be one to two years of graft but then we should have 18 deluxe aparthotel suites.
“These will provide all the benefits of self-catering along with the full service provisions of a hotel. The combination of one and two bedrooms and interconnecting apartments should prove popular with families and groups.”
Mark purchased the casino building in 2021 and original plans were submitted two years ago.
He admitted: “It has been a bit of a battle. I had to change the design and second-guess the planners, which held things up. But it has allowed us to get extra accommodation that makes it a viable enterprise.
“We are not going any higher and it’s all within the building's footprint. It’s a between £2million and £3 million investment. I am quite optimistic. Somebody has to reinvest in our town. I really do believe in Torquay.”
Whilst waiting for the go-ahead, Majestic have been going ‘green’.
Mark explained: “We have installed solar panels at the Majestic offices, EV chargers and air source heat pumps at the hotel and switched to green energy and more. We will continue this with the casino conversion so that we will be so-called ‘net-zero’. Hopefully, another big plus for choosing Majestic for a holiday stay.”
Mark has kept offices in Teignmouth and Dawlish and employs local people to reduce their carbon footprint when getting to work. In Torquay the same applies but he has taken his green policies a giant step further forward by buying an acre of woodland in the town to offset the limited carbon production of his staff commutes.
He said: “I am a scientist at heart. I have a degree in physics. We have been going on about climate change and the environment for 25 years. People did not see the effects coming, although people in the last dozen years have started to wake up. I thought we should make changes ourselves and follow our convictions.”
He added: “I’d like to pass on a big ‘thank-you’ to all who have supported us. In spite of all the issues the town suffers (like nearly all across the country), we believe Torquay is the top holiday resort in the UK — a stunning sea-front, great attractions, restaurants, cafes and bars, and is home to some of the best entertainers in the country.”