This summer, I visited a once bustling seaside resort that locals said had become a “ghost town”. It appeared like many seaside holiday destinations I had visited across the UK over the years, with lit-up fairground rides, a trademark pier, and plenty of arcades.
The main tourist strip leading towards the large beach, Torbay Road, was full of attractions, but a cinema completely obstructed the view. The high street was also all too familiar. Gone were the large brands, and instead, there were some boarded-up shops, and local butcher Donald Vaughan said it had become a “ghost town.”
He said the high street was now “just charity shops”, and joked they were perfect “if you want to buy a pair of underpants your Uncle Bob died in as someone’s Christmas present”.
Some locals said a £13.36 million transformation has taken too long to implement, others said there was a lack of opportunities, and some complained about the state of the high street.
Darren Gouldthorpe said: “It’s changed terribly since I moved here in the 90s. It’s just generally gone downhill. It’s got the alcoholics and druggies on the streets. We’re losing all tourist things, like gift shops.”
Richard Kaskow from Action for Paignton said the money so far had been “wasted” on “poor quality consultations”, but believed there was potential.
He said: “We’ve got fishing, rowing, sailing, diving, you’ve got sports centres, the bowling green. It’s about maximising the potential of everything we’ve got on the doorstep.”
We went to visit nearby Torquay the next day, with its wide open pedestrianised zone lined with palm trees, plenty of bars, restaurants, and space for tourists to sit and enjoy the views of the marina — and more investment planned.
So I went home feeling a bit perplexed. With nearly a mile of golden sand and located between Torquay, Brixham and Broadsands beach, Paignton has all the ingredients of a thriving seaside resort. Yet, unlike its neighbours, locals said the town still feels overlooked.
Torbay Council insisted change is coming, pointing to the £13.36 million Future High Streets Fund earmarked for new homes, better infrastructure and a revitalised centre.
A spokesperson said exciting projects are already underway — and that, like locals, they are eager to see Paignton flourish again.
For now, though, the streets were described as a “ghost town”. Perhaps in ten years, it will be a different story.
