Steve Darling: Hospitality in Torbay ‘at breaking point’ ahead of Autumn Budget

As the Chancellor prepares to deliver the Autumn Budget this week, I have raised serious concerns about the future of hospitality in Torbay.

New polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats paints a bleak picture for our high streets, with many fearing that the very businesses which bring life to our towns could soon disappear.

Across the South West, 62 percent of people are worried about their local pub closing. A further 71 percent are concerned that cafes and restaurants may shut their doors. Almost half fear the loss of bars and nightclubs, and 51 percent are anxious about losing their local hairdresser. These figures are troubling and highlight how fragile our local economy has become.

Here in Torbay, we have already suffered painful losses. The closure of Living Coasts, the Printers Elbow pub, and the uncertain future of Paignton Zoo are just some of the signs that our hospitality sector is under immense strain.

This crisis has been made worse by last year’s damaging National Insurance hike, which hit small businesses hard. Our high streets are now at breaking point, and the government must act before more doors close for good.

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That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling for an emergency five percent VAT cut for hospitality, to run until April 2027.

This £7.5 billion support package, championed by our Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper, would offer a vital lifeline to pubs, restaurants, and cafes across the country. Hospitality is the beating heart of our high streets in Torbay. Without urgent action, we risk losing the places where people gather, connect, and celebrate.

The Chancellor must not deliver another Budget that deepens the decline. If she has run out of ideas, she should adopt ours, starting with a fair tax on the big banks to support the small businesses that keep our communities alive.

Turning to local government reform, last week Torbay Council backed a “four-unitary” model for Devon. Torbay would remain a standalone authority, while Plymouth and Exeter expand their boundaries, and a new Rural Devon authority is created. 

While it was welcome that the Conservative administration eventually agreed with the Liberal Democrats that Torbay’s boundaries should remain unchanged, aligning with Plymouth and Exeter creates a real risk that the Labour Government could adopt their boundary change proposals. 

This would dismantle Torbay’s integrated health and social care system, end fixed-price social care arrangements, and force Children’s Services to merge with neighbouring councils.

Torbay’s unique integrated health and social care arrangements are under threat from confused proposals and poor negotiation. 

Advice from NHS leaders and Council Officers warns that expanded boundaries would dismantle Torbay’s joined-up health and social care system. Any expansion would not only end Torbay’s unique model but also divert staff from their vital work in Children’s Services, which has only recently improved from “inadequate” to “good.” The proposals would also leave Devon as a financially weakened rural rump, facing years of recovery.

Finally, many residents have contacted me about the potential closure of the custody suite at Torquay Police Station. I have written to the Home Secretary to express serious concerns. Closing the suite would stretch frontline police resources, delay investigations, and leave victims vulnerable, especially during the busy summer months. The custody suite is not just a building, it is a vital part of our justice system. Torbay deserves policing infrastructure that meets the needs of our community and protects public safety.

As always, if you need assistance or would like to share your views, please get in touch. You can reach me at steve.darling.mp@parliament.uk or on 07908 349347. For regular updates, sign up to my weekly e-newsletter at www.torbaylibdems.org.uk/newsletter.