It has recently been announced that the Debenhams building owned by Torbay Council on the Strand will be demolished. Fronting the building is a historic cast-iron canopy that has defined the Strand for more than a century. 

Development of the prime site in question has the potential to transform the area through much-needed investment and prevent further decline. It is essential that Torquay's character is not lost in the process. 

The Debenhams building itself is a mix of pre-war and post-war buildings with little architectural merit. It is the cast-iron canopy that fronts the building which is very special indeed and must be saved.

We want Torbay Council to make it a condition of the site's future development that the cast-iron canopy be kept and incorporated into the new building. Furthermore, this canopy has style and elegance and we want some decent architecture to match. This is the face of the Torquay Harbour Conservation Area and we cannot settle for second best on the Strand. We need to do better than before. 

This is a golden opportunity to do something really special at one of our prime sites. We want to be able to give the future plans for it our full support. Torbay Council, make it easy for us - do better and #KeepTheCanopy!