Torre Abbey, a Torbay Council owned visitor attraction, and heritage asset is the best-preserved medieval abbey in Devon and Cornwall. The council is seeking to boost its long-term future through the creation of an independent Development Foundation.
The Torre Abbey Development Foundation would have charitable status and open opportunities for Torre Abbey to apply to a wider range of funds, which currently are only available to charities.
Since the start of the global pandemic, grant funding has become even more competitive and necessary. With many funding pots being oversubscribed and not always available to Local Authorities, Torre Abbey has been very limited on what grant support can be applied for.
By supporting the creation of a charitable trust called the ‘Torre Abbey Development Foundation’, it will be possible to seek and secure additional funding for this much-loved historical local asset. Further investment in the buildings and grounds of the Abbey will enable the attraction to become more sustainable in the longer term.
Torre Abbey is Torbay’s most historic building complex dating from 1196. An ancient scheduled monument set within 17.8 acres of garden and parkland. It’s a multi-award-winning accredited museum, home to a regionally important collection of over 600 incredible works of art from the 18th centry to the present day.
Torre Abbey has a long standing important and valued relationship with the Friends of Torre Abbey group (FOTA). Their support has been invaluable both through previous restoration phases, and smaller conservation projects and collection acquisitions.
FOTA will continue to play a vital role in Torre Abbey’s future, if the Development Foundation proposals are agreed at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 19 October.
Cllr Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council said; “Torre Abbey is Torbay’s most historic building and a hugely important asset to the local community. Boosting its long-term future though a Development Foundation will open up a number of opportunities to support it financially in the years to come.. Not only that, but additional funding will also enable Torre Abbey to undertake a wider range of community exhibitions, events and activities.
If the proposals are agreed the day-to-day operation of Torre Abbey will remain under the care and management of Torbay Council.
Full details on the proposals are available on Torbay Council’s website.
Further information on Torre Abbey including opening times, memberships, exhibitions and events can be found via: https://www.torre-abbey.org.uk/
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