Demolition work starts this week at Lymington Road Coach Station in Torquay to make way for new business units, with improvements also being made to the public space.
Funded from Torbay Councils Growth Fund, alongside funding awarded by Heart of the South West’s Getting Building Fund, the project will provide space for small businesses and is expected to generate £2.5million to the local economy.
The project, which is being managed by Kier, will see the development of five new business units, a new international coach bay, shelters providing weather protection for waiting passengers, wayfaring information, a new and improved disabled toilet, and enhanced lighting throughout the car park.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Steve Darling, Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, Ward Cllrs Cordelia Law, and Nick Pentney were on site this morning (Tuesday 26 July) to learn more about the plans and the benefits the development will bring to the local economy.
The building which has been vacant since 2019 will be replaced with modern facilities for businesses and will create a more inviting space for residents and visitors.
Feedback from the local community helped to shape the final design to ensure the space felt safer for all users at all times of the day.
Cllr Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council said; “The old buildings at Lymington Road Coach Station were beyond their economic life. By investing in and redeveloping the site we’re creating new business and employment opportunities. The local community has helped us to develop the plans to ensure we are creating spaces and places that also meet their needs.”
Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing for Torbay Council, said; “It’s fantastic that work is underway to deliver this project, as it offers many benefits to both our local community and economy. There are well publicised challenges within the construction sector at the moment, and we are hopeful that this project will be the catalyst to start many more within our regeneration programme, as well as attracting further inward investment.”
Doug Lloyd, regional director at Kier Construction Western & Wales, said; “We are pleased to be helping Torbay realise part of their economic development strategy.
Kier is committed to maximising social value as part of our delivery of this project through engaging with the local supply chain, maximising skills and training opportunities as well as supporting Build Torbay in driving recruitment in the local industry.”
Find out more about the work the council is doing to regenerate Torbay via: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/leisure-sports-and-community/regeneration/
Discover more about Build Torbay via: https://investintorbay.com/build-torbay/
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