There are just days to go until the English Riviera Airshow makes an exciting return to Torbay.
New research carried out by the council’s event partner and headline sponsor the English Riviera BID Company, estimates the airshow weekend alone will generate more than £15.5million to the local economy.
More than 165,000 visitors are expected to watch many of the world’s most iconic aircraft including the RAF Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with the Spitfire, Hurricane, and the magnificent Lancaster, as well as the Chinook and The Blades – which is made up of former Red Arrows pilots.
Final preparations are underway before the opening day of the event on Saturday 4 June, with residents and visitors encouraged to plan ahead.
Roads are expected to be extremely busy, with anyone travelling by car to the event to be aware of road closures that will be in place from 10am until 7pm on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June. Affected roads will be clearly advertised, along with diversion routes.
Where possible those attending the event are encouraged to car share, walk, cycle, or use public transport.
On-street parking suspensions will be in place on Garfield Road, Torbay Road, and Queens Road.
Victoria car park on Garfield Road is the official designated car park, with access limited to those who have pre-booked their space. Motorists are advised that no on the day payment facility will be available and should use alternative car parks.
The event village on Paignton Green will be open from 10.30am and will be packed with rides, carnival stalls, local and national traders, a wide variety of food and drink stalls, plus stands from visiting RAF crews.
On Day 1 of the event, the airshow display programme is due to begin at 1pm with three of the most iconic aircraft in world aviation history and closes in style with the RAF Red Arrows.
Day 2 kicks off with the RAF Red Arrows and is followed with many airshow favourites including The Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team.
If that’s not enough, alongside the airshow on Sunday, over 80 vessels will take to Torbay’s waters for the Jubilee Flotilla. Setting sail from Roundham Head, the vessels decked out in red, white, and blue will sail across both Paignton and Preston seafronts to Livermead Head in Torquay.
Also taking place on Sunday afternoon is The Big Lunch – a giant airshow street party on Paignton Green, where visitors can come together with their picnics in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Water refill stations will be available across the event village, along with additional toilet facilities and provisions for disabled guests – which include disabled access viewing spots.
Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing for Torbay Council, said; “What a spectacular airshow weekend we’ve got planned with displays on land, sea and air. Now in our fifth year, the event is renowned in the airshow calendar, not only by airshow enthusiasts but by visitors of all ages who return year-on-year to experience the thrills, noise and excitement of world class flying display teams.”
Cllr Nicole Amil, Chair of the Airshow Working Party and Member Champion, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee said; “It takes months of planning to put on an event of this scale, and we’re delighted to be back for 2022. We want everyone to enjoy our fantastic two day event, and with the high number of visitors expected, I’d encourage people to take the time to plan ahead.
“I’d also like to thank all of the airshow partners for their generous support.”
Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive Officer, English Riviera BID Company Ltd, said; “We are all aware of the economic challenges that the tourism and hospitality sector have faced over the last couple of years. Our latest research estimates that a phenomenal £15.5million will benefit our visitor economy in just one weekend, highlighting the impact that big events can have.”
The English Riviera Airshow is requesting that no kites or balloons be flown in Torbay. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Authority has declared it illegal to fly a drone within four nautical miles of the airshow site. These measures are for the safety of the aircraft performing during the airshow. Any flying of drones will mean that the airshow is suspended until the item has been landed and subsequently confiscated by the appropriate authorities and may result in prosecution.
Further information on the flying programme, event village, pre-booking airshow car parking tickets, road closures, parking restrictions, disabled access and getting to the event can be found via: https://englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/
Find alternative car parking via: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/roads/parking/car-parks/
Disabled access, parking and viewing area information can be found via: https://englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/event-information/
Discover more about other events happening across Torbay over the Platinum Jubilee Weekend via: https://englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/
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