Town sees a big rise in spending by coach visitors

SPENDING by coach trip visitors in Newton Abbot nearly doubled in 2017, with numbers visiting the town at their highest since records began.

Teignbridge District Council commissioned a survey to understanding the positive economic impact coach tour visitors make to the town as well as their opinions of the town in general.

The average spend per person/couple has increased from £23.68 in 2017 to £24.31 in 2018, the survey revealed, with more people than ever visiting on a coach trip.

But the survey revealed that coach drivers are still seeking a reliable long-term solution to the shortage of coach parking in the town, and that the greatest demand from coach tour visitors is to improve the access to and number of toilets at the market.

The 2018 coach tour survey revealed:

The number of coaches and passengers visiting Newton Abbot in 2017 was at its highest since current survey records began

In 2017 it is estimated that over £130,000 was spent by coach tour visitors in Newton Abbot, up from £75,000 in 2016 – an increase of 73 per cent

The new look Market Walk

51% of passengers surveyed had purchased from the markets

The average passenger spent slightly longer in the town than last year

Cllr Timothy Golder, Teignbridge District Council’s executive portfolio holder for economy, skills and tourism, said: “Newton Abbot is experiencing a stage of exciting regeneration and people will have already seen the impressive new glass canopy and colourful render welcoming visitors to Market Walk shopping centre. There is so much more to come and Teignbridge aspires to make Newton Abbot a premier market town.”

In 2017, Market Walk’s Western Service Yard, behind the Jolly Farmer pub, was turned into a coach park.

Sally Henley, Newton Abbot town development manager, said: “It has been rather frustrating that we have not been able to provide better facilities for coaches and so it’s fantastic that we can now welcome more tourists, who we know really enjoy visiting Newton Abbot.

“I was delighted when Teignbridge District Council, having become the new owners of Market Walk, agreed to making the service yard available for coaches. It’s a very positive step and one which has been welcomed by town centre businesses.

“The additional investment in Market Walk Shopping Centre has made a real difference and helped to secure Newton Abbot’s economic vitality at a time when it is most needed.”

A new glass canopy and colourful render has transformed the look and feel of Market Walk shopping centre, making it brighter and lighter for an enhanced shopping experience that will attract locals and visitors to the heart of the town.

The Richwood Hotel was once a Victorian villa

Picture: ANDY STYLES