Councillors have backed proposals for the regeneration for Newton Abbot town centre.

Teignbridge District Council’s executive on Tuesday morning unanimously agreed to accept the £9.2m of Government funding from the Future High Streets Fund for plans which would transform the Market and Food Hall, Alexandra Cinema and Market Square.

Pedestrian and cycling improvements for better links to shopping facilities, a new cinema built on the site of the existing New Look store, with the current Alexandra cinema converted into a bar/restaurant and events venue, and the reduction of the dominance of the car in Queen Street are also part of the bid.

The executive also backed the principle of the Market Hall proposals, which as part of the bid will see a new eating quarter, a state of the art cinema, a remodelled entertainment and events venue and a high quality market space provided in the existing market area.

Councillors were told that the proposals aim to hit the vision of making Newton Abbot Devon’s premier market town, provide facilities for an increasing local and wider population, and for the town centre to become a pedestrian friendly place with good transport connections, increased leisure and entertainment opportunities, a high quality market and retail offer and an enhanced night time economy.

As part of the proposals, converting the existing New Look store into a multi-screen cinema will once again be taken forward after the scheme was paused in 2018 until further funding could be secured, and the meeting heard that it is envisioned that the revised Market Hall would act as an economic and social driver for the wider town centre economy.

The proposals for Newton Abbot include a package of works focusing on the delivery of an improved environment in the heart of town, as a hub for local communities and an appealing offer for visitors via enhanced pedestrian realm and greening.

Pavements along Queen Street would be widened to enhance visual appeal, sense of place, and space for some greening elements, and the wider pavements may also support some limited outdoor seating, if sufficient width uplift can be achieved.

There would be increased cycle parking in the town area at key locations,

and reduced car dominance via narrower carriageways along the 1-way stretch of Queen Street, as well as modifying the crossing outside the rail station to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians.

The Market Hall plans would transform the existing Market and Food Hall, Alexandra Cinema and Market Square to include a new eating quarter, a state of the art cinema, a remodelled entertainment and events venue and a high quality market space, and would re-connect the Alexandra Cinema and Market Hall buildings to create a flexible market, food & events space.

The final scheme proposals for the Market Hall and Alexandra Cinema will be presented to Council later this year, following further engagement with NADMACS and the Market Hall retailers.

The proposals to develop a new four screen cinema, with two further units below, at the existing New Look site can be taken forward now that the funding for the scheme exists, and the building is proposed to be operated by WTW Scotts Ltd who currently operate the Alexandra Cinema, with an agreement for lease and new lease will be entered into for a period of 25 years

Neil Blaney, head of place and commercial services, added: ‘This project is a rare opportunity to secure significant investment into the transformation and regeneration of Newton Abbot, to improve the quality of environment, ensure future resilience and facilitate transformational change.’