Jul 15, 2021
Pilots Perch is a charming three-bedroom cottage, with delightful sea views and perfectly situated for exploring Brixham. When owner, Denise Peach, ran into issues claiming a Restart Grant she turned to Brixham Chamber for help.
Alex Foley, who runs the popular and succesful Guardhouse Cafe, is also Vice-chair of the chamber and co-ordinated the Chamber’s reponse. He was delighted to help Denise, amongst others, achieve a successful outcome. Denise said “May l say a big thank you to Brixham Chamber of Commerce and especially Alex who has helped a novice work her way through the system to claim a Restart Business grant.
“Such a simple thing for many reasons wasn’t simple at all due to various issues. Alex was patient and understanding while being bombarded with many emails. He took the time to speak to me and listen. Thank you once again.”
Jul 2, 2021
Torbay Council has submitted a bid to secure up to £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to accelerate economic growth locally.
The application, prepared by TDA, focuses on a programme of works that will extend Brixham’s Fish Quay and Market and create a new Electronics and Photonics Production Park. These projects will provide more employment opportunities in key local sectors.
The application has been supported by both local MPs and more widely across the community, including Torbay Together, representing partners from the business, public and community sectors.
Councillor Swithin Long, Torbay Council Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, said: “The projects within our bid highlights our ambitions for Torbay. There are significant opportunities in the fishing and hi-tech sectors and these projects will help drive more high value jobs. Both sectors have high export potential, and this bid uses internationally competitive assets to bring about positive change for our communities.”
Councillor Mike Morey, Torbay Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, said: “It is great to see two significant Torbay projects bidding for this fund. Investment in Brixham’s harbour and fish market would help secure the future of Brixham’s fishing sector which has been badly affected by Brexit and COVID-19. These challenges and the lack of capacity for boats and landings is preventing the sector from significant growth.”
The fishing proposal sets out how land will be reclaimed to extend the harbour and fish market in Brixham. This project will include the delivery of an extra 7,000m² of quayside, creating additional landing space, enabling up to an extra five fishing vessels to off-load simultaneously. It also includes the construction of two new auction halls, doubling the current capacity. These investments could lead to an increase in landed fish value of up to £20 million per year within five years, creating a forecast 150 additional year-round jobs and more than £11 million of GVA per year in fishing and associated activities.
The Hi-Tech sector continues to evolve in Torbay, developing expertise centred on electronics and photonics and providing economic resilience and high value jobs. Building on this internationally recognised local expertise, investment in an Electronics and Photonics Production Park will provide new production and manufacturing facilities at Torbay Business Park. This will provide specialist production facilities, deepening innovation, enabling the growth of key businesses in the sector and attracting further inward investment.
The Electronics and Photonics Production Park will help create more high value jobs in the local area. A new purpose built 2,040m² production centre will accommodate the expansion of a local company, creating 175 new jobs and £18 million GVA. Furthermore, investment in infrastructure will unlock 1.2 Hectares of land, enabling the development of 3,700m² of much-needed manufacturing and production space. This will create an additional 100 new, high-value jobs in the medium term.
Vince Flower, Chairman of the TDA, said: “TDA consulted with stakeholders in February 2021 to understand the priority needs and opportunities in Torbay that would drive forward the economy. The stakeholders included Torbay Council, South Devon College, Torbay Business Forum, Torbay Hi Tech Cluster and Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Chambers. The priorities identified included the need to extend Brixham Fish Market, to enable more activity and employment, and the need to deliver employment land to enable the growth of local businesses, including a dedicated Electronics and Photonics Production Park to support the growth of this specialist, high-value sector. This application responds to these demands and demonstrates to Government how Torbay can respond to the Government’s challenge for places like Torbay to build stronger economies.”
TDA is expecting to learn the outcome of the application in the autumn.
Jun 30, 2021
After an independent month-long postal ballot, eligible businesses operating across the English Riviera have voted YES to continue the English Riviera Business Improvement District (ERBID2). It will now operate until 2027 spending over £3m in that time to market and help manage the resort.
The ballot result was announced by the Returning Officer, Anne-Marie Bond (Chief Executive Officer at Torbay Council), at 4.30 pm on Friday 25th June.
76% voted in favour by number and 83% voted in favour by rateable value. A majority was required on both counts in order for the BID to continue and this was achieved.
Speaking on behalf of the English Riviera BID Company, Tim Godfrey Chairman, said ‘’We are thrilled with the result as it will allow us to continue the work we have been doing to support local tourism businesses. Professionally coordinated Destination Marketing is critically important and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those businesses that took the time to vote in what has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone.’’
ERBID2 will focus on delivering a refreshed 5-year Business Plan, which has been the result of extensive consultation with businesses since February. Highlights of the plan include an increased focus on high profile Digital Marketing to reach new audiences nationally and increased investment in the development of new year-round events programme, working in partnership with Torbay Council.
‘I am very excited about the future’ said Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the ERBID Company. ‘So much has been achieved over the past 5 years and we can now build on this taking full advantage of the easing of lockdown as well as all the investment we are seeing in the Bay. I am really looking forward to continuing to work with our amazing tourism businesses and strategic partners to secure our position long term, as the UK’s premier resort.’’
For further information please visit www.englishrivierabid.co.uk
Jun 18, 2021
Local NHS staff have been treated to a cruise thanks to the people of Brixham.
The lucky Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust staff – who were involved in the organisation’s Covid-19 response – were thanked for their efforts with a cruise around Torbay.
The classic Brixham trawler Vigilance embarked on two separate cruises exclusively for staff members and also enjoyed lunch on board.
The boat is run entirely by volunteers, many of whom live in Brixham, and this has been a way for local people to say thank you for their incredible response over the past year.
Taking an especially keen interest in the cruises was Jon Welch, non-executive director of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. Jon is also a skipper of Vigilance, and he was at the helm for the two cruises.
Ray Longhurst, chair of the charitable trust which runs Vigilance, said: “We are delighted to offer these cruises to Brixham NHS and care staff who have done so much for the town during a very difficult period.
“We depend on volunteers, there are no paid staff, and as many of our volunteers live in Brixham we thought it a great way to say a sincere ‘thank you’.
“There is no commercial organisation involved, nor any politicians; it’s the people of Brixham acting from their heart, pure and simple.
“We hope our NHS guests had a wonderful day cruising with Vigilance which is part of the Heritage Fleet.”
Liz Davenport, chief executive of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very grateful for the generosity of The Vigilance Trust and all those who have made this trip possible for our people.
“This unique experience will certainly bring joy to our staff who have ensured that people in our community were able to receive the care they needed throughout the pandemic.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all of the businesses and members of the public who have sent cards, gifts and donations which have given staff a much-appreciated morale boost.
“Your generosity and compassion is truly appreciated, and your kindness will be remembered for a very long time.”
Peter Pugh, staff nurse at Brixham Hospital who went on the trip, said: “We had a fantastic time out on the Vigilance, the crew were friendly and welcoming.
“After what has been a challenging year for the team, it was nice to be able to see some of them outside of work in a relaxed environment.
“It was also great being able to see a different view of Torbay. A big thank you to the crew of the Vigilance for facilitating this day.”
Original story by Nikki Belso on Torbay Weekly
Jun 9, 2021
The next open meeting of the TBCN will take place on Tuesday 15th June from 4pm. This is a live panel event with representatives from the three Torbay Chambers and the Torbay Business Forum.
This meeting is open to all. It features discussion of local business topics, plus breakout rooms so you can contribute and network with other members online.
This is a Zoom Meeting, a video conferencing meeting that’s hosted using Zoom. You can join these meetings via a webcam or phone. If this is your first use of Zoom, you may need to download the Zoom client or app.
To register: https://bit.ly/2T3nf1w
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