Jim Parker: Torquay's new Arena - the right red 'carpet' setting for Bay's right rosy future

You could not have wished for a better setting to talk ‘future’. Torquay’s future and the Bay’s future.
The event was the Torbay Business Forum’s monthly business breakfast. The venue, the impressive — the very impressive — Arena in Torquay.
You could sense we were in for something special when the stairs to the new venue were lined with VIP-style red ropes. And forum chairman Steve Reynolds was in his element as he took to the stage with the action and music from the aptly-timed and named Greatest Showman on Earth bellowing in the background.

Torquay’s newest live events venue officially opened its doors last week following a major transformation of the former Bohemia nightclub site. The 1,200-capacity venue aims to be a cultural and entertainment hub for the Bay, offering a wide range of live music, theatre, comedy, sport, and community events.
The venue includes a large LED screen, flexible staging areas, bespoke bars, and eye-catching interior details, “bonkers” bathrooms and record-themed décor.
Owner Steve Garratt was introduced by chairman Reynolds and explained why he was investing in Torquay’s future. He told the meeting: “We want to be part of the community. There is lots going on in the Bay.”
He has also been quoted as saying: “Torbay has turned out to be a really good decision because of the investment going into the Bay, all the different businesses and great existing venues.”
And that is where the two guest speakers for the breakfast session fitted in neatly — Tarah Gear, director of Brand and Place Futures, and development director Martin Tresidder, her counterpart at developers Milligan.

Milligan and Willmott Dixon are in the early stages of transforming the Bay in a private/public regeneration partnership with Torbay Council. They have been tasked with redeveloping key sites across the Bay with millions of pounds from public and private sector investment,
Tarah said the Bay had been very successful in securing Government funding but it needed a partnership to develop brownfield sites.
The partnership with Milligan and Willmott Dixon was described as a ‘bold and long-term commitment, spanning 10 to 15 years.’
She said the partnership was working, evidenced by approaches from other local authorities asking how they had managed to do it in the first instance!
Tarah talked about the power of ‘power of place and partnership’.
She admitted there were challenges like any other location, including seasonality and the demand for affordable homes. But she was keen to emphasise: “We are looking at the Bay as a thriving whole and we are thinking about the next generation.”
She said theirs was a ‘complementary vision’ and it was about revealing what is already here and shining a light on what we have. They have a ‘clear vision’ and she talked about the exciting times ahead and the ‘belief and confidence’ they have in Torbay’s future.

Martin Tresidder has links with the Bay — part of his education was at South Devon College in 1987 — and he told the forum what a ‘privilege it is to be working in the bay’.
“It is glorious,” he said.
Martin said there was cross party political commitment to what they are trying to achieve although he admitted: “Development and regeneration are extremely difficult at the moment.”
But he added: “We want to deliver quality.”
He gave an update on two landmark schemes, the first the £88million redevelopment of the Union Square area in Torquay town centre, which will include 102 homes, NHS services, a revamped Pannier Market and public and private squares/parks. With hoped-for planning consent, work on the huge project could start in 2027 and be completed two years later.

Then he came on to the landmark and iconic Strand area with a 150-bed hotel and restaurants, the main elements as well as a special walkway/staircase linking the harbour with The Terrace. There could be another start on a two-year project in late 2027.
He said the site was ‘challenging’ but at the same time ‘one of the best sites ever to develop — a game changer’.
“Do we need another hotel?” That was the question he expected to be asked and, following detailed expert analysis, his answer was: “For this type of hotel and destination the answer was yes.”
He added: “We are already talking to hotel companies. The feedback is stunning. We are very excited about this scheme.”
The floor was thrown open for questions. Why not housing in the Strand scheme? Not viable, was the answer.
Why knock down Union Square and reduce the retail offer in the town?
A retail study document showed Torquay has an over supply of retail outlets — ‘something we are seeing everywhere’.
But he emphasised that public consultation will take place and the developers will listen to the views of one and all.
Steve Garratt had come to the end of his regeneration journey and had delivered a fabulous new addition to the Bay’s leisure offer.
Milligan, Willmott Dixon and Torbay Council have just started out on theirs.
Fingers crossed they all end up with the same successful conclusion — and we can play Greatest Showman on Earth when the ribbon is cut on such once-in-a-lifetime schemes.