Site of iconic Devon shopping centre reborn

The site of the once iconic Crossways shopping centre in Paignton is to reopen this week as a pay and display car park. Torbay Council is due to unveil the temporary ground-level car park on Hyde Road on Friday.

It will have around 140 spaces available 24 hours a day. Latest photos from the site show it is ready to open.

The extra spaces will give Christmas shopping a boost. The council has also deferred the planned closure of another town centre car park - the Victoria multi-storey - until early January 2025 to help businesses and attractions over the busy festive period.

Crossways was bulldozed last year. Built in the 1960s, it was town's first indoor shopping arcade and had 30 units. But it became a sorry sight in recent years and a symbol of urban decay.

There are long-term plans for around 90 extra care homes to built on the site. The council is working with its regeneration partners – Willmott Dixon and Milligan - to bring forward a revised design in 2025.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said: “The creation and opening of the temporary surface level car park on Hyde Road in Paignton ahead of Victoria multi-storey car park closing will help shoppers transition to the new arrangements."

Victoria multi-storey car park will officially close in early January, with demolition works starting soon after. Full details of the demolition programme are being finalised with the appointed contractor and will be shared with the community over the coming weeks.

“We have deferred the closure of Victoria multi-storey car park until early in the New Year to support local businesses and attractions who see thousands of people head to Paignton for seasonal events," says Councillor Lewis.

“We will share more information over the coming weeks on the demolition programme which will be carried out phases to ensure minimal disruption to the community.”

Full details on the regeneration of the Victoria Centre can be found at: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/victoria-centre/ Information on the council’s longer-term plans for Hyde Road (former Crossways Shopping Centre site) can be found at: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/crossways/

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