Victoria multi-storey car park in Paignton is set to close on Sunday 5 January.
At 10pm on Sunday 5 January, Victoria multi-storey car park will be closing as Torbay Council moves forward with ambitious regeneration plans.
Torbay Council is beginning 2025 by moving forward with exciting community led transformational plans that will rejuvenate Paignton town centre, starting with the demolition of the Victoria Centre.
From Monday 6 January, the contractor, Wring Group will start to install hoarding and fencing around the perimeter of the multi-storey car park, decommission services and utilities and put in place safe controlled working zones, before bringing in demolition machinery.
The demolition work will be carried out in three phases, starting with bringing down the main multi-storey car park structure.
During the first phase of the demolition programme, Victoria Square will remain open to the public including pedestrian access to retailers operating within the Victoria Centre. However, to accommodate a safe working zone, the pathway from Victoria Square that runs parallel to the railway line to Victoria Park will be closed. Signage will be in place to safely direct pedestrians to Victoria Park via Garfield Road.
In preparation for the demolition work, the Council has created a new temporary surface level car park on Hyde Road. The car park which opened at the end of November 2024, is open 24 hours a day and offers convenient step free access to the town centre. Designated spaces are available for blue badge holders and motorcycles. Details of all off-street and on-street parking in Paignton town centre can be found at: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/parking/
Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said; “2025 is the year that the community will really start to see change happening in Paignton town centre.
“The demolition of the Victoria Centre is an important step towards releasing the land for redevelopment and supports our ambition of developing the site for new homes in the town centre with our regeneration partners, Willmott Dixon and Milligan.
“Paignton will remain open for shoppers, visitors and businesses with plenty of alternative parking spaces in and around the town centre, as well as excellent public transport connections.”
Managing the demolition process:
The demolition of large structures is a carefully managed process to ensure minimal disruption to the local community.
Demolition works will take place during the day (Monday to Friday). Noise, dust, and vibration levels will be monitored, and a dust suppression system will be operating.
Safety fencing is in place around the site to protect the public, it should not be tampered with or breached in anyway. Local security teams, including CCTV and the police are aware of the works and will be monitoring the site.
Phase 1 of the demolition programme is expected to last until mid-April 2025. At the end of the first phase of the demolition programme, a new temporary surface level car park will be constructed with spaces released sequentially. It is anticipated that 100s of these spaces will be available for summer 2025.
Preparing the site for the future:
The Victoria Centre was first identified for redevelopment and improvement in the Paignton Town Centre Masterplan (2015) and formed part of the Council’s successful Future High Streets Fund bid.
The demolition of the site is an important step towards releasing the land for redevelopment and supports the Council in bringing forward the site for development with its regeneration partners – Willmott Dixon and Milligan.
Longer-term options are being considered that will provide much needed housing for local people, rejuvenate the area and attract businesses back into the town.
Parking and travel:
c.19 Reserved Parking Bays will be available on the former Garfield Road car park site for Reserved Bay permit holders.
Year-round coach parking (following the conclusion of the advertising of the Traffic Regulation Orders) will be available on Garfield Road between 10am and 8pm.
Paignton is well served by public transport with bus and train hubs in the centre of the town.
Active travel to Paignton is encouraged, it offers huge benefits for health, wellbeing, and the environment. Find cycle parking in Paignton via: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/bike/
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