On Monday 7 October, work will start on the cliff at the rear of the Old Toll House on Torquay seafront ahead of the property’s redevelopment.

Remediation works will involve the removal of vegetation to identify any areas of instability. The condition of the existing rock netting and fixings will also be checked with necessary repairs made.

Work is to be carried out by Abcas (UK) Ltd and will involve access by the use of abseils from the path at the top of the cliff. Work is expected to take around three weeks.

The Council, supported by the TDA, is working with Venus to redevelop this iconic building and bring the Old Toll House back into use. A Grade II Listed stone building was originally used by local boatmen and the council’s gardener and is believed to date to back to circa 1840. 

Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, Cllr Swithin Long, said: “The Venus Café venture will breathe new life into a currently unused building which is located in a prime site next to a number of thriving restaurants and bars.

“This development supports the objectives set out in Torbay’s Economic Strategy and Destination Plan and will complement other investments across the Bay. There are a number of successful private operators bringing investment, development and regeneration into Torbay, which in turn helps create more jobs in the tourism sector.”

The Old Toll House is situated on Torquay’s seafront opposite the promenade and less than a quarter of a mile from the town centre, the harbour and marina. Nearby restaurants and bars include Bistro Pierre, Visto Lounge, Coco Lounge, On the Rocks, Las Iguanas and Pier Point.