Torbay Council has announced that it is investing £100,000 into improving the customer experience at Fleet Walk Shopping Centre, Torquay.
In 2019 the freehold contract for the Fleet Walk shopping centre was purchased by Torbay Council as part of their plans to regenerate Torbay’s town centres and help boost the local economy.
The investment will include works to improve the appearance of one of the most ironing buildings in the Torquay town centre and will include the redecoration of the gallery, toilets, new Winter Gardens festoon lighting, Christmas LED lighting, parking bay relining in the multi-storey car park and new feature planting.
The shopping centre boasts key brands such as TK Maxx, Sports Direct, Deichmann, Trespass and popular food and drinks brands as well as a plethora of small independent outlets – many of whom have been going for several years.
Fleet Walk is just one area of the Torquay Towns investment plan that is set to benefit from enhancements this year. In total over £2 million of improvements to the Strand are set to begin in the Spring and more than £21 million has been secured from the Towns Fund. Upon completion of the Strand works residents and visitors will benefit from a minimised traffic system, increase and enhanced pedestrian areas and a new public transport hub.
More than just the Torbay Town Centres
It’s not just the Town centres that are benefiting from an increase in funding. £4 million of Getting Building Funding is being used to support the development of new business spaces at Edingswell and Lymington Road. The space at Edginswell has already attracted key interest from Wickes and BOWAM MEDICAL UK, both of which offer new employment opportunities.
Work on the Lymington Road site is due to start this 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 Within 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.”
