Torbay Council is investing £100,000 to improve the visitor experience at Fleet Walk Shopping Centre in Torquay.
The freehold of Fleet Walk Shopping Centre was purchased by the Council in the autumn of 2019 as part of its plans to regenerate Torbay’s town centres and help boost the local economy.
Works to improve the appearance of one of the most visible parts of Torquay town centre include, redecoration of the Gallery and toilets, new Winter Gardens festoon lighting and Christmas LED lighting, parking bay re-lining in the multi-storey car park and new feature planting.
The site is home to some of the best high street names including TK Maxx, Sports Direct, Deichmann, Trespass, popular food and drink brands, as well as a wide range of independent outlets – many of which have been operating for several years.
Fleet Walk is just one area of Torquay’s Town Investment Plan that’s set to benefit from enhancements this year. More than £2million of improvements to the Strand are set to begin in the spring after more than £21million was secured from the Towns Fund. Upon completion of the Strand works residents and visitors will benefit from minimised traffic, increased and enhanced pedestrian areas and a new public transport hub.
Torquay is seeing increasing levels of private sector investment into its town centre with national well-known chains such as Hilton, Boston Tea Party and Taco Bell opening new branches. Not only offering more choice and variety to consumers but all year-round local employment opportunities.
The investment from the Council, complements more than £340,000 of funding Torbay received as part of the governments Reopening High Streets Safely Fund and the Welcome Back Fund to help high streets respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, a further £750,000 of accelerated Towns Funding was received to deliver three projects at pace as part of the first phase of the Town Investment Plan.
It’s not only Torbay’s town centres that are benefitting from additional investment. £4million of Getting Building Funding is being used to support the development of new business space at Edginswell and Lymington Road. The space at Edginswell has already attracted DIY giant Wickes and BOWA MEDICAL UK, both of which offer new employment and training opportunities. Work on the Lymington Road site is due to commence later in the spring.
Cllr Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council said; “We value all Torbay’s town centres and recognise how important they are to the people that use, work, and visit them. By investing in spaces such as Fleet Walk, we are able to reinvest income generated back into town centres to keep them rejuvenated and attractive places that can be enjoyed all year round.”
Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing for Torbay Council, said; “It’s been more than 12-years since some areas of Fleet Walk were last decorated. Our investment will go towards improving the look of one of the most visible parts of Torquay’s town centre which is home to a wide variety of both independent and national outlets.
“We want Torbay to be a ‘premier resort’, that means supporting and boosting our local economy where we can. Not only by making visual improvements and creating welcoming and enjoyable spaces, but by attracting more inward public and private sector investment to give Torbay’s economy a much-needed boost.”
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