Teignbridge supports return of Summer Nights in Newton Abbot

A Teignbridge District Council partnership is welcoming the return of Summer Nights to Newton Abbot with the aim of attracting more visitors to the town centre and encouraging business opportunities.

Keen to support and build on last year’s successful debut of Summer Nights, Teignbridge recognise the importance of town centres as focal points for urban areas and how they continue to play a vital role in communities.

In supporting Summer Nights and through its partnership work with Newton Abbot Town Council and Born Hectic Events, who produce the events, Teignbridge are committed to helping create opportunities and encouraging new business ventures. This in turn helps to bring more visitors into the town, leading to economic, commercial and other service benefits, as outlined in the council’s ten year strategy towards investing in town centres.

Serving up a festival of street food that features locally produced dishes, world cuisine and entertainment on the menu, events take place monthly on selected Saturdays through the summer. The cuisine fuelled nights will help attract visitors to the heart of Newton Abbot, with stalls running along Courtenay Street to the Clock Tower and trading from 4.30pm to 9pm. The first event on Saturday 30 June has already attracted a range of traders offering hot and cold foods, with tasty delights including traditional Persian, Spanish and Greek cuisine alongside more familiar local produce to tempt the taste buds.

In addition to the street food, a festival atmosphere will be created as entertainment takes place through the evening. Fun for all the family, each event will host live music, stilt walkers and children’s activities.

For anyone looking to build up their appetite with a spot of shopping beforehand, Teignbridge will also be offering free parking from 4pm in selected non-barrier, council-owned car parks at Halcyon Road, Livestock Market, Venture Court and Wolborough Way.

2018 Summer Nights take place on:

• Saturday 30 June
• Saturday 21 July
• Saturday 25 August

The return of Summer Nights is another boost for Newton Abbot at a time when work is already underway on the £2million refurbishment at Market Walk. This major upgrade scheme, unanimously supported by councillors in September 2017, will modernise the shopping centre to create an open and spacious place to visit and shop, attracting locals and visitors to the heart of the town. Work began in February and is expected to last for eight months, with shops remaining open for business along with public access to the market and Market Square. The shopping centre was acquired by the council in its biggest ever deal in 2016.

In further exciting developments for Newton Abbot, as part of regeneration plans for Bradley Lane a £2.5million funding boost was secured from the government in February. The long-term vision is to rejuvenate the council-owned land and transform the industrial estate into an attractive area offering improved employment facilities, office space and some housing.

Cllr Timothy Golder, Teignbridge District Council’s executive for economy, skills and tourism, said: "Summer Nights is a great initiative aimed at drawing people into Newton Abbot town centre. As one of the supporting partners, Teignbridge is once again demonstrating its commitment to making Newton Abbot a thriving and dynamic place for local residents and visitors alike. With good food and good music this is sure to be a big hit with families and people of all ages."

Sally Henley, Newton Abbot Town Development Manager, said: “The street food element of our late-night shopping Christmas Street Fayres has become a bigger feature of the events each year. In response to public demand, it’s great that Newton Abbot Town Council, Teignbridge District Council and Born Hectic Events are teaming up again for ‘Summer Nights 2018’.

“Residents and visitors are invited to pop to Courtenay Street for a spot of early evening supper with their families and this year I’m so pleased that the music is being kicked off by local band ‘Spare Time’ from Devon Square’s JJ’s Arts Academy. We were treated to a performance from them in the early spring on Golden Lion Square and they are amazing musicians and sure to get everyone in the festival mood.”

Born Hectic Events said: “We enjoy working with the Town Council on the Christmas Street Fayres each year and we are very pleased to join forces with them and with Teignbridge District Council once again this year. We hope that residents will support these local traders with as much enthusiasm as they do at Christmas and enjoy the family friendly atmosphere.”