News courtesy of Kevin Foster
(MP for Torbay)
Torquay Police Ask for Help On Assault
Police in Torquay are appealing for help in identifying a man they wish to question in relation to a violent attack on the Harbourside.
They have released CCTV of the man they wish to question and I would encourage all residents to have a look in case you recognise him. The footage can be seen on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Ferry Cross to Brixham
Since November 2014 the Brixham Express has been providing a year round link across our bay, yet it hit the rocks of bad publicity this week after it was revealed to have cost £170 in subsidy for each passenger that has used it.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that a total of 3,186 passengers used the service between Brixham and Torquay, up to April last year, showing a cost per passenger journey of just over £170 based on the subsidies paid. The service was originally intended to be provided by a catamaran, yet it is currently being operated by small fishing boats after long delays involving the vessel intended to provide it.
It is worth noting that Torbay Council scrapped all subsidy payments (which were intended to support the service getting established) last year given the service was not operating according to the contract. Therefore no public money is currently being paid to support the service. You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
New Shoe Shop Opens
After the recent news about BHS and other stores closing it was good to see a new store open in Torquay Town Centre this week.
After a £360,000 refurbishment of their new premises Deichmann Shoes has opened in Fleet Walk, creating 10 permanent new jobs. You can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Love Your High St Campaign Launched
Love Your High Street week is a brand new campaign celebrating the independent local businesses in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
The Love Your High Street week is taking place from 11 – 17 July across Torbay and is free of charge to all independent retailers wishing to get involved. The campaign is being delivered by Shop up the High Street, the high street regeneration project from the TDA and funded by the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund.
If you’re an independent high street business in Torbay and would like a marketing pack (which are free of charge) just e-mail Loveyourhighsttorbay@gmail.com or for more information and to see our full programme of activities just click here.
Police Appeal In Paignton
Paignton Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was punched in the face in Paignton Town Centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident happened between 3.20am and 3.35am in Victoria Street, and the victim, a 24-year-old man from Paignton, suffered a small cut to the head and concussion and was taken to Torbay Hospital by ambulance.
The man was surrounded by a group and the Police are keen to speak with any witness who can help identify them. Just email Devon and Cornwall Police via 101@dc.police.uk or call 101 quoting reference CR/035108/16.
Abbey Sands Change Refused
An application seeking to change the use of 13 apartments at the Abbey Sands development from holiday flats to permanent homes was refused by Councillors this week.
The £12m development has breathed new life into this part of our seafront and the restaurants that were built as part of it have been bustling since opening. The proposal to change the use of the flats included a proposed contribution of £800,000 towards affordable housing projects and £62,550 towards community infrastructure. I am advised the 13 holiday flats have never been occupied.
You can read more, including the reasons put forward by Councillors for refusing this plan, on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Bog Standard Investments?
Four sites that are being offered for development by Torbay Council are not just bog standard investment opportunities, even though two are public toilet blocks.
The four sites are being marketed (Cary Park, Hollacombe, Corbyn Head and Preston Sands) for a mixture of uses, including sports hire businesses, cafes, kiosks and restaurants. All will have to include paid for public toilet provision, although other toilet facilities are available nearby in Preston. The sites at Cary Park and Hollacombe currently have no public toilet provision, despite the impression created by the press headlines about their sale.
If you think you might be able to spend a penny or two investing in these projects you can read more on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Golf Club Development
Torquay Golf Club have this week unveiled major plans for redevelopment of their site, which includes doubling in size and taking over some areas of land nearby as part of it.
You can read more about the plans on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
Killer Whales Seen Off South West Coast
Ending on a different note, a couple of very rare visitors to our shores were spotted off the Cornish Coast this week.
Killer Wales, or Orca as they are known, have been seen in our waters before, but a report of two this week has caused renewed excitement. You can read full details of the reported sighting on the Herald Express website by clicking here.
If you are at sea or near the coast and spot the distinctive creatures, take a photo (if safe to do so) as it would be great to have a record of them.
Events
Oxjam’s Party In The Park
TODAY, 18th June 2016, 12:00 – 17:00 – Upton Park, Lymington Road, Torquay, TQ1 4BG
Cost: Free
Booking: No booking necessary.
For more information, click here
Screen on the Green – England Vs Slovakia
20th June 2016 – 20:00 – Torre Abbey, The Kings Drive, Torquay, TQ2 5JE
Cost: Free
Booking: Register for tickets online.
For more information, click here
Classic Motorcycles at Cockington Court
19th June 2016 – 10:00 – 16:00 – Cockington Court, Cockington Village, Torquay, TQ2 6XA
Cost: Free
Booking: No booking necessary.
For more information, click here
