'Not. For. Sale.': Torbay council hits back at claims Cockington Court is being sold off
Torbay council has hit back at claims it is planning to sell off historic Cockington Court, with deputy council leader Chris Lewis saying 'read my lips – Not. For. Sale.' The council wants to step back from its direct day-to-day operational functions at the site, but says any new operator will need to demonstrate the capability to manage the site and establish a sustainable operating model.
Senior Torbay councillors have hit back at suggestions that they are on the brink of ‘selling off’ historic Cockington Court.
The search has begun for someone to take on the lease of the 16th Century building at the heart of Cockington, leading to online speculation that the council is looking to get rid of it altogether.
But deputy council leader Chris Lewis told an overview and scrutiny committee meeting: “Read my lips – Not. For. Sale.”
Cockington Court was the ancestral home of the Cary family and now houses artists, makers and other craft businesses along with a popular cafe.
Councillors say it could again become one of Torquay’s premier attractions.
A report to the meeting said the building, its workshops and other facilities were losing more than £50,000 a year, making it ‘financially unsustainable’.
Now the council wants to step back from its direct day-to-day operational functions at Cockington, but says any new operator will need to ‘demonstrate the capability to manage the site, work with tenants, respect its heritage and establish a sustainable operating model’.
The meeting heard that a handover could take place at the beginning of April 2027, and there had already been interest from people looking to find out more about the lease.
Cllr Lewis told the meeting Cockington Court remained a ‘hugely important asset’ for Torbay and was home to ‘fantastic’ businesses. But, he said, the council was not the best body to run it, and it should be taken on by someone with more business experience.
The priority should be finding a long-term solution rather than a quick fix, he said.
“We should be looking at how we can build on the great work already taking place there,” he added. “This is about finding a long-term future that works for Torbay, for the Court itself and for the businesses and communities connected to it.
“This is not the end of Cockington Court – it is part of the process of finding the best possible future for it. Cockington is absolutely not for sale.”
Cllr Mark Spacagna (Con, Cockington with Chelston) said the site had been ‘mismanaged’ over the years, and a new marketing strategy was needed to bring in new businesses and visitors.
“The business owners down there are so passionate about it,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing a positive change.”
The council bought Cockington Court in the 1930s when it was sold by then-owners the Mallock family.