Popular UK seaside resort once dubbed ‘a hellhole' to undergo £70million upgrade with new restaurants and 154-room hotel

Scottish Sun

05-05-2025

Locals said they don't feel safe walking with drug paraphernalia on the ground
SANDS GOOD Popular UK seaside resort once dubbed 'a hellhole' to undergo £70million upgrade with new restaurants and 154-room hotel
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BRITAIN'S "very bad" seaside spot is getting a whopping £70million revamp to become a posh new destination.
The iconic harborside is set to become home to a swanky hotel to counter locals who have been left bitterly disappointed with their beloved landscape.
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Torquay harbourside will be getting a £70million revamp
Credit: Torbay Council
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The popular seaside spot is now set to go be the site of a sparkling new hotel
Credit: Torbay Council
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Locals are fuming at the fly-tipping and drug paraphernalia on the floor
Credit: Devon Live/BPM
Residents Torquay harbourside, Devon, were gutted that their beautiful town was being trashed, with litter and drugs paraphernalia left around.
Fuming homeowners, dog walkers and families are scared to walk down some streets, meanwhile, visitors are leaving the once bustling hotspot disappointed.
One scathing local said the situation was "very bad" and claimed the council aren't stepping up to resolve it, as reported by DevonLive.
"We have contacted the council, the police and Swisco (street cleaning and maintenance company), but haven't heard back from any of them," they said.
Pointing at a pile of litter, they added: "It annoys me when you read all these pieces about Torquay being such a lovely place, yet, just two minutes from where the tourists walk up and down, you have this horrendous thing.'
Horrified residents have also said they have seen the area increasingly plagued by drug use - exacerbated by a lack of police presence.
However, Torbay Council has announced that the area is set to be the site of a huge £70million regeneration scheme, aimed to tackle the "horrendous" harbourside.
It has shared a plan that councillors believe will "revolutionise" the popular town.
The Strand area, a former Debenhams store, will be the site of a " high-quality landmark" hotel with a staircase connecting the harbourside with The Terrace.
With views of the harbour, the soon-to-be hotel will boast 154 rooms and a luxurious space on the ground floor.
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It's predicted that the development will provide about 80 full-time jobs, £32m in paychecks, and entice 86,000 new visitors to Torquay in the first 30 years.
The Strand was bought up in 2020 with planning granted in 2023 when Wilmott Dixon and Milligan appointed as Torbay's regeneration partners
Stuart Harris, CEO for Milligan, said: "This is more than just a regeneration project - it's about delivering something truly special for the town, blending high-quality design with exceptional experiences.
"One of the key design features is a striking new staircase, which will enhance the public realm and provide a seamless connection between the harbourside and The Terrace improving connectivity to the Hilton, Premier Inn, and car park."
The designs are still in the works with Torbay council claiming they want to include "historical elements" in the final design.
Residents are able to give their say in summer when the final plans are released with results in early 2026.
Torbay council assured locals that no buildings will be demolished until they get the go-ahead from residents.
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Residents have been complaining about litter on Belgrave Road, Torquay
Credit: Devon Live/BPM