The three resort towns of the English Riviera - Torquay, Paignton and Brixham - share an enviable reputation as one of the UK's leading holiday destinations.

However, the treasures of Torbay are not confined to its beaches, gardens and heritage. When it comes to shopping, the towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham have bags of choice to surprise and delight you.

  • Torquay
  • Paignton
  • Brixham

debenhamsTorquay has a vibrant town centre, with high street shops and department stores along the main street and the harbourside. Fleet Walk is a stylish undercover shopping centre, home to chic shops and boutiques, while the Pavilion is a stunning converted Victorian theatre, which now houses a unique collection of specialty shops, as well as a bar and restaurant overlooking the marina.

A short drive or picturesque bus ride away are the historic districts of Babbacombe and St Marychurch, which offer stunning coastal views across Lyme Bay, together with charming independent shops and galleries and restaurants.


 

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Paignton town centre businesses are being invited to a theatre show with a difference.

Torbay Town Centres Company and Paignton Business Partnership will be presenting a production about the potential for a new scheme to put Paignton town centre back on its feet.

The Paignton Business Improvement District (BID) is billed as the chance to restore the town as a vibrant and viable shopping centre for both residents and visitors.

Lucy Ball, Torbay Town Centres Company chief executive, said: "We are facing a race against time to start this process as Paignton is losing its market share to its neighbours. We would like

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Torbay Town Centres Company

27 Jul 2010

Retailers and brand owners across Europe looking for a bumper 2010 summer sales season have a valuable new marketing tool in a survey commissioned by Avery Dennison.
The Retail Bulletin - News

29 Jul 2010 | 6:29 am BST

Robert Gibson, of Wetherspoon's Green Ginger, has been appointed chairman of the Torquay Business Improvement District steering group. The BID project aims to raise £1.3million over the next five years through an extra business rates levy on the 620 businesses, plus other income. The money will be spent on projects which have been voted for by the businesspeople.


Mr Gibson, who was born, brought up in and had worked in Swansea, had previously run the London Inn for the company, having worked in Bristol for three years.

"I have heard from a lot of people how Torquay used to be, and wanted to get involved in improving

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Torbay Town Centres Company

28 Jun 2010

Small and medium-sized businesses are more successfully utilising social media to generate revenue than larger companies, according to research conducted by Regus.
The Retail Bulletin - News

29 Jul 2010 | 6:26 am BST

Torquay's  Christmas lights will be shining brighter than Rudolph the reindeer's red nose after a £40,000 investment. 

The news came as Torbay Town Centres chief executive Lucy Ball spoke to the Chamber of Trade about the Torquay Business Improvement District (BID) scheme. She revealed that she was "shocked" when she first arrived in the Bay at the number of traders who did not even put a tree in their window during the festive season. Now the BID will be sinking money into new Christmas lights and a "mystery" seasonal display on the harbourside.


Speaking after the meeting, she said: "We are going to put

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Torbay Town Centres Company

28 Jun 2010

It is hard for any marketer to ignore the hype that surrounds social media - Facebook, Twitter, performance display and ad exchanges are bringing opportunities for retailers to generate demand within these massive new channels. By Ed Stevenson
The Retail Bulletin - News

29 Jul 2010 | 6:26 am BST

Enquiries for shop units in Torquay town centre have been on the increase, a leading estate agent has reported.

With properties changing hands, landlords are asking for lower rents, which is making the town centre more attractive, said Stephen Lofthouse, director of commercial estate agents Bettesworths.

One of the properties sold by Bettesworths is the former Bitz unit in Union Street.This is expected to be split into two units and the new owners, who are local investors, are seeking tenants. Bettesworths said it had sold the freehold on behalf of the administrators of Bitz.

Mr Lofthouse said: "There has been a massive increase

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Torbay Town Centres Company

20 Jun 2010

Report notes dramatic shift in the way in which consumers searched for flights online compared to the previous quarter.
The Retail Bulletin - News

29 Jul 2010 | 6:22 am BST

The results of the BID Steering Group Ballot are as follows:

  • Area 1: Steve Goss elected with 13 out of 34 votes
  • Area 2: Simon Murray elected with 23 out of 33 votes
  • Area 3: Robert Gibson elected with 18 out of 25 votes
  • Area 4: Ian Lane elected with 5 out of 9 votes
  • Area 5: John Steed elected with 27 out of 53 votes
  • Area 6: Regina Rowe elected with 9 out of 19 votes

Spoiled papers: 19
Total votes: 192

Many congratulations to the successful candidates… more»

Torbay Town Centres Company

4 Jun 2010

A clear majority of businesses surveyed believe the emergency Budget struck the right balance between spending cuts and tax rises, according to the British Chambers of Commerce's latest Monthly Business Survey.
The Retail Bulletin - News

28 Jul 2010 | 6:38 am BST

The man who helped revive the fortunes of Edinburgh's shops is hoping to rebuild Torquay's reputation as a shoppers' destination.

Ian Broadfoot, 43, has been appointed as the resort's new town centre manager following the setting up of Torquay's new Business Improvement District.

It is the first time in 10 years that the town has had someone whose sole job it is to improve the performance and attractiveness of its centre and harbour area.

Lucy Ball will continue as chief executive of Torbay Town Centres Company, overseeing further BIDs in other parts of the Bay.

Mr Broadfoot said the challenges facing Torquay were similar

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Torbay Town Centres Company

2 Jun 2010