Most deprived rural area of Devon gets £20m boost

The district of Torridge draws its name from the river that flows through the area

The most deprived rural area of Devon is getting more than £20m of government cash to support 12 projects.

More than £7m will be spent in Torridge on developing an "agri-business hub" in Holsworthy with money also allocated to improve water quality, renovate Bideford's Pannier Market and develop a derelict hotel for community use in Torrington.

Bideford Business Park and Hatchmoor Industrial Estate in Torrington will also get cash to develop manufacturing and engineering facilities.

Ken James, leader of Torridge District Council, said the money would also bring "more homes and a better future" for people in the area.

Ken James is the leader of Torridge District Council

James said: "I think the big thing is the lack of opportunities for our young people because people here are slightly away from the main centres and urban areas.

"The whole area will get a boost which hopefully will give our young people better opportunities."

According to national measures, Torridge is the most deprived district council area in Devon.

The money is coming from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and was first awarded two years ago through Levelling Up funding.

The council leader said he wanted to increase "home-grown opportunities" to encourage young people to stay in the area rather than move away.

He said: "Unfortunately they often don't come back until they're retired which aggravates the situation where we're looked upon just as a nice area to retire to."

Mark Bromell is a director of Kivells and runs auctions from Holsworthy market

The livestock market at Holsworthy is already one of the largest in the south west and the £7.3m of funding will be used to develop extra retail and professional space around the site.

Mark Bromell, a director at the estate agents and auctioneers, Kivells, said the investment was great news for the farming economy.

He said: "Holsworthy is a real cattle-market town and agriculture is the driver of the Torridge economy - especially when you leave the coastal tourist areas.

"We're thrilled to have this investment and we hope to see the area around the livestock market developed into an agri-business centre - to make it the one-stop hub for farmers this area so badly needs."

Abi Jackson is the owner of The Sage Apothecary in Bideford Pannier Market

The historic Pannier Market in Bideford will get almost £1.5m for work to modernise the main market hall.

Traders in the market's Butchers Row say the money will help to attract more people to the area.

Abi Jackson, owner of The Sage Apothecary, said: "I think it's really exciting, it's a beautiful historic building but it does need regenerating and it's going to be fantastic for the community and for the other traders."

Sapphire Sharkey owns the Hadoken Free Play arcade where people can play old arcade games

Karen Austin runs the Mother Clucking Farm company making soap and shampoo from goat's milk.

She said: "It's absolutely brilliant, I love working up here and we just want Bideford to have a community hub again."

Sapphire Sharkey, owner of the Hadoken Free Play arcade, said: "I think it's needed, it's about time it had some sort of enrichment.

"It's gone so quiet over the last years and it needs more put into it to get more out of it."

Rachel Kelly is managing the Globe Hotel project in Torrington

The Globe Hotel in Torrington has been derelict for years but a community group will now use more than £500,000 to push forward a scheme to buy the site and build a hotel and restaurant with a training facility.

Rachel Kelly, project manager, said she hoped to be "opening the doors to the fully refurbished building" in two years.

She said: "This money means we're a step closer to realising our dreams.

"The economic impact it's going to have on the town is going to be fantastic."

Other schemes include money for the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre, a community health and wellbeing hub at Bideford Hospital, new homes at Cleave Wood in Bideford and the redevelopment of Holsworthy Manor Offices.