BREAKING: Paignton businesses shut and road closed amid safety fears

A Paignton town centre road which has been partly closed for more than a week amid fears for the safety of shoppers could be open again soon.

The pavement through Station Square and one lane of the busy road was closed at the end of November after an engineer working for the building’s owner called in Torbay Council’s building control team.

Businesses from 62 to 80 Victoria Street, including a takeaway, a mobile phone shop and the popular Queen Victoria pub, have been closed ‘until further notice’.

A spokesperson for the council said it had implemented an ‘emergency closure’ of the footpath due to safety concerns. “We acted swiftly to protect the public,” they said.

In May 2023 a large chunk of masonry fell from the building onto the pavement below, narrowly missing shoppers.

The buildings are privately owned by a company called Solanki Holdings, which acquired them in autumn 2023.

In a statement on the ‘Undiscovered Torbay’ Facebook page earlier this year chairman Nirad Solanki said the ultimate goal of owning the ‘glorious building’ was to create a hub for locals which would also attract visitors.

It was, he said, ‘extremely dilapidated’ and had been part of Torbay Council’s regeneration plans for many years. He and his team, he said, had worked ‘endlessly’ to do what it could  to save and restore the site, including meetings with Heritage England.

He said his aim would be to develop behind the facade of the building, and his company had worked on a similar project in central London.

The facade of the building has become detached from the main structure, he said, and joists have rotted due to years of neglect. There is damage inside the old Tropicana nightclub section of the site.

“We really do love the building and would love to work with the locals to restore, rescue and salvage the site,” he said.

At the same time he launched a crowdfunding drive and personally pledged to back it to the tune of £2million in match-funding. To date the crowdfunding page has not attracted any contributions.

Solanki Holdings has been contacted for an update on the social media statement.

Torbay Council says the building’s owners have appointed a contractor who has been granted a licence to install scaffolding incorporating full pedestrian safety nets.

Once this is complete, says the council, the current lane closure will be lifted.

“Subject to no unforeseen issues, and noting the current weather conditions, we expect the lane to reopen by the middle of the week,” said the council spokesperson.

“As this building is privately owned, we cannot comment on the owner’s future plans. Any proposed changes would be subject to planning approval. We will continue to work with the owners to ensure the building remains safe.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the emergency lane closure.”