Jim Parker: True English Riviera champion Michelle and 'Why we have fallen in love with Torquay'

A couple of years ago Michelle Brown and her husband, Paul, decided to quit the somewhat posh tranquillity of Hope Cove in the South Hams and set up business in Torquay.
Leaving the picturesque seaside village famed for its sheltered bay, sandy beaches and peaceful environment for the hustle and bustle of a large seaside resort along the coast was a gamble
Michelle admitted that at first she thought they had made a mistake. Then she simply fell in love with Torquay and hasn’t looked back since.
Their Torquay Watersports business running out of Torquay harbour has gone from strength to strength and that love story with the English Riviera blossoms by the day.
Her passion for the place she now calls home oozed out in a recent Daily Express article where she was quick to make her feelings known to the author.
The Daily Express writer wrote: “As you arrive at the waterside, it’s hard not to be struck by the palm trees, the flowers, and the curved harbour welcoming you to Torquay. On a summer's day, you could easily be tricked into thinking you're abroad.
“Lush green hills frame the waterside, where superyachts bob in the harbour. People dine outside cafes tucked into the steep hills, and small coffee shops are dotted across the pretty waterfront pedestrianised zone. It's no wonder the town has been considered one of the quintessentially British holiday spots.”
Then comes the down side with the comment: “ But today, locals in the town fear Torquay's best days are behind it.”
That's where English Riviera champion Michelle intervenes and says: “They've got some amazing projects coming up with The Strand development, the one at the top of town, and the hotel opening up. So, it's getting there.”
She adds: “I've fallen in love with it (Torquay). I think that there's money being spent here, there's business, people spending money here, and I think by 2029, the place will be unrecognisable.”
The Daily Express reporter writes: “We learn that the town has invested heavily in advertising, and now there’s a mix of tourists from nearby in the Midlands, Europe, and America, who come to the town known for Agatha Christie.’”
Michelle says of her business: “We're up about 38 per cent on last year. So whatever they're spending the money doing, people are coming.
“It’s not only a beautiful coastal town, we’re a UNESCO Geopark. Agatha Christine lived here, she's one of the most famous writers in the world.
“They haven't really capitalised on any of that until now, and I think now they're just starting to see that there's quite a lot to shout about.”
She tells us that the town centre has a different feeling, something the reporter hears throughout the day, but Michelle is still hopeful for the future.
She is quoted as saying: “On the seafront, there's no antisocial behaviour. There's a little bit at the very top of town. They're dealing with it. But I've only got great things to say. I genuinely think it's amazing. Torquay has got it all.”
The reporter moves through the day in Torquay and says: “As we learn throughout the day, locals and visitors alike seem split. Some are full of optimism, drawn by the coastline, history, and fresh investment. However, others feel frustrated by slow progress and uneven changes at the waterfront and the town centre.
“What we keep hearing throughout the day is how friendly the town is, how the waterside is the star of the show, and that Torquay is trying to reinvent itself.”
It sums up ‘as locals remain split on the state of their town, Torquay may become completely unrecognisable by 2029."
Michelle Brown agrees and insists that that is for the better.
She tells me of her initial move from Hope Cove. “We were interested in bringing a RIB ride to Torquay and thought it would be a nice place to make home.
"I must admit I was a bit snooty at first and wondered if we had made a mistake and did we want to move here, but I think Torquay is amazing and we have fallen in love with it.”
She ran a hotel in Hope Cove for 10 years.
She says: "We had an 18-month gap working out what to do. Hope Cove was gorgeous but you would have to walk three miles for a pint of milk. We started up the RIB rides and were looking for somewhere where they had not been established.
"Torbay is a beautiful sheltered bay and we were welcomed and accepted by everybody.”
She added: “Business is up. It is just extraordinary. It has been an amazing year. The increased footfall is down to the English Riviera BID Company and the messages coming out. "Talking to people on the seafront and they are coming here for the first time. It is unbelievable. People are day-tripping from places like Dawlish, Teignmouth and Kingsbridge.”
Torquay Watersports currently possesses the Raptor for a speedy trip across the Bay and a couple of RIBs for the more measured trip around the Bay.
She says the company may invest in a couple more RIBs next year and says: “We are going to make an investment next year. The RIBs will go further afield taking in Teignmouth and Dartmouth and do more.”
Watersports has already talked to Reach Outdoors about linking with them and offering coasteering opportunities.
Seal trips and working with the paddle steamer Waverley are another couple of collaborative opportunities to be looked at in the future.
Michelle says: “The Bay has its community and it has businesses working together. There is always something going on. It is great to see investment and it has great energy.”
She repeated her thoughts for the future: “Torquay will be unrecognisable by 2029.”
Welcome to the Bay, Michelle and Paul. And welcome to a new future for the English Riviera. Champions in every sense of the word.