Details of our opening hours and emergency contact numbers over Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 can be found below.

Call centre, Benefits, Registrars, Housing, Children’s Services

Over the Christmas and New year period our call centre will be closed from 5pm on Friday 22 December and will re-open on Wednesday 27 December through to Friday 29 December from 9am to 5pm.

We will also be closed on Saturday 30 December through to Monday 1 January and will re-open again from Tuesday 2 January from 9am to 5pm. 

The Emergency Duty Service for the Housing Options team and Children’s Services team will be available out of hours on 0300 456 4876 from 5pm onwards.

Registrars

Appointments at Paignton Library: Closed from Saturday 23 December to Tuesday 26 December. Open on Wednesday 27 December to Friday 29 December, then closed from Saturday 30 December to 1 January. Open as normal from Tuesday 2 January.

Ceremonies: Closed from Monday 25 December to Tuesday 26 December Open from Wednesday 27 December to Saturday 30 December. Closed 31 December to 1 January. Open as normal from Tuesday 2 January.

If you need to contact a Registrar in an emergency, please call the out of office hours control centre on 01803 701310.

Worried about someone sleeping rough?

If you’re concerned about a rough sleeper in Torbay, we have a team of dedicated Resettlement Workers who can make contact and offer help and support through the Council, community partners and others.  

The Resettlement (Outreach) team can be contacted directly by emailing rsi@torbay.gov.uk but if you think a rough sleeper is in danger, call 999. 

The location of a person sleeping rough can also be reported by visiting Streetlink or by calling 0300 500 0914. This information will be passed on to the Resettlement team. If the person is under 18, call 999. 

Harbours

Torquay Harbour

Torquay Harbour office will be open from 8am to 4pm on Saturday 23 December and Sunday 24 December. The office will then be closed on Monday 25 December and Tuesday 26 December. The office will be open from 8am to 4pm from Wednesday 27 December to Sunday 31 December, then closed on Monday 1 January.

Paignton Harbour

Paignton Harbour office will be closed from Saturday 23 December to Tuesday 26 December. It will be open from 8am to 4pm from Wednesday 27 December to Friday 29 December then closed from Saturday 30 December to Monday 1 January.

Brixham Harbour

Brixham Harbour office will be closed from Saturday 23 December to Tuesday 26 December. It will be open from 8am to 4pm from Wednesday 27 December to Friday 29 December, then closed from Saturday 30 December to Monday 1 January.

Brixham Security

Brixham Harbour Security office will be open 24 hours through the Christmas and New Year period as a point of contact in an emergency.

They can be reached on 01803 207360 and VHF Channel 14.

For all other contact, please email harbour.authority@torbay.gov.uk . Replies will be dealt with when the office reopens.

Libraries

Torbay libraries will be closed from Monday 25 December to Thursday 28 December then open on Friday 29 December for the usual hours. All libraries will then be closed from Saturday 30 December to Monday 1 January and will reopen on Tuesday 2 January for the usual hours.

Opening hours are different for each library so please check with them. There’s more information on the Libraries Unlimited website.

Torre Abbey

Torre Abbey will be closed from Saturday 23 December to Tuesday 16 January. Find out more about Christmas at Torre Abbey. 

More information about services

Information on a wide range of services can also be accessed on our website here: Christmas - Torbay Council

Please visit the following webpages for specific information about:

Christmas refuse and recycling

Holiday Activity and Food Programme

Help with the cost of living

Bus services

Christmas parking offer

Bay of Lights event

Staying well in winter