Big wheel, marine restoration, pub closures - what you're saying

It’s been a busy week for us at Clear Sky Publishing with the launch of our new business-to-business magazine, Torbay Tomorrow.

It’s also been a busy week for news, with headlines covering the council’s review of Torquay’s big wheel, a new tenant secured for the former site of Living Coasts, and the confirmed closure of Torquay’s oldest pub. Here’s what our readers have been saying…

Call for action

At the start of the week, Sarah Angela shared her agreement with South Devon MP Caroline Voaden’s column, which called for action rather than another review of adult social care.

Sarah said: “She is right—I still think the idea from Theresa May of raising the savings threshold was a positive start in reforming the health and social care system. We don’t need a Casey report. We need cross-party cooperation. This has been coming since the ’60s for social care. Each of us has to ask ourselves some hard questions, too. I’m sure, as baby boomers, we never expected to be facing such issues. Not that we shouldn’t, but we need to face up to them and try to participate in any possible solutions. It’s tempting to create wish lists, but we have to start somewhere.”

Keep on wheelin’

A local democracy report on the “vexed” question of whether the big wheel on Torquay seafront should continue turning sparked a mixed response.

Jill Farnworth said: “We went on it and loved it. Wasn’t aware that there was a local issue. Move it to Paignton, and it will certainly get used more.”

Charles Standford said: “It's going to be difficult. Most times I passed it in the summer, there were barely three or four pods occupied.”

Louise Jones said: “The last one was incredibly noisy—not a nice place to sit. Hope it never returns; it adds no value.”

Paul Gubb said: “Harm? I don't think it causes any harm at all. It just sits in place, turning. It may draw visitors, but not that many. People don’t come to Torquay just for the wheel, but they may go on it while they’re here. It does make for good pics on my drones, though.”

Graham Andrews said: “This is the most obvious yes. We need attractions to encourage tourists who—like it or not—are our lifeblood. I’ve never been on it and probably never will, but I don’t need to go on it to realise that it works for the tourist industry.”

Making waves

We received an overwhelming response to the eagerly anticipated announcement that ARC Marine had signed an agreement to develop a cutting-edge marine restoration centre at the former Living Coasts site—mostly positive, with some scepticism.

Laurence Zipson said: “A very odd decision. Surely, this site should have been given a use for the general public.”

David Jenkin said: “This sounds very promising! I don't quite understand the model, though—will this be open to the public, with animals to observe and learn about? Or is it a closed building with everything behind the scenes?”

Daisy Hut said: “Great news on all fronts and so much better than flats or new, obsolete hotels. Best wishes to all concerned.”

Councillor Darren Cowell said: “I look forward to learning more about this opportunity. Hopefully, there will be more in the media, as that is now councillors’ only source of information. Encouraging use of the vacant site, and one that will strengthen our marine credentials.”

Margaret Forbes-Hamilton said: “Brilliant news! Good jobs in an industry working to protect our greatest asset—the marine environment. A perfect situation for this.”

Crime and clarity

People once again challenged Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez’s column about how her team is working to address public scrutiny.

Peter Fenton said: “So you're very concerned, Alison? This response would be perfectly reasonable if you hadn’t been in the job for a decade. Life is about accepting responsibility—ask Rt Revd Justin Welby: ‘I’m in charge, and my organisation has failed—I have to go.’”

Sarah Angela said: “I keep asking about the unauthorised vehicles on Fleet Street in Torquay, but no one is hearing me. As the late Dr Michael Mosley said, ‘Just one thing’—please.”

Andrew Hoyle said: “What is going to happen with the race track known as Fleet Street, Torquay? Just Eat drivers are racing up and down, ignoring road signs. Taxis are using it as a shortcut to the Harbour area. Other vehicles are using it for various reasons. Torbay Council doesn’t want to know and says it’s a police matter. So do something before someone is seriously injured.”

Mike Berry countered: “Everyone had a chance to vote—most didn’t. People need to suck it up.”

Bay vs Mersey

Our editor Jim Parker’s column about why Torbay can’t be more like Liverpool also inspired an interesting response.

Robert Lovell said: “An interesting comparison with Liverpool in a number of ways.

"But the reality is – will the Living Coasts site be an upmarket tourist attraction, or has Paignton Zoo been desperately trying to offload the lease they hold? This is prime waterfront property, which, with some imagination, could have offered a wonderful opportunity.

"As for the Debenhams site, which the council bought from the receiver, they should sell this property on—with control over the plans—and let a private company take it on with shareholders' money, not ratepayers' money, using the expression risk and reward. The Premier Inn Hotel on the Terrace is a classic case of this council trying to be a developer, resulting in a massive overspend of council funds.”

Last orders?

Many commiserated at the news that the Hole in the Wall pub in Torquay will cease trading on 13 April after serious financial difficulties.

Drew Millin said, hopefully: “I doubt very much that we've seen the last of The Hole in the Wall. It’s still a busy pub, and somebody will almost certainly take it on. This current situation is due to a number of things, but I’m sure a lack of customers is not one of them. It will reopen… won’t it?”

Cly Bunyard replied: “It’s the only decent pub in town if you’re an ale drinker. Fingers crossed someone takes it over. Unfortunately, this government is making it increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs to invest.”

Roger Whiters said: “Sad news. Sign of the times,” while Barrie Dammarell added: “That is really sad.”

A doctor's wisdom

Former GP and Torbay Weekly columnist Peter Moore shared his insight into an innovative programme in the bay to administer naloxone—a powerful medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose within minutes.

Peter said: “Very important. When I worked as an FME (police surgeon), I saw far too many opioid deaths from accidental overdoses in Torbay. Naloxone is a lifesaver if given early enough. I once gave it in the police station with dramatic effect. It is not difficult to give.

“Remember, just because someone comes round, it does not mean the danger is over. It can wear off faster than the opiate, and the patient will stop breathing again. After giving naloxone, always call for paramedics.”