General Discussion

Does anyone have any local knowledge of what the plans are to do with the empty building at number 21 - 23 Park Road (the former Ferret & Radiator)?

I may be about to move into a property on Regent Street which adjoins onto the back of the pub premises in Park Road.  I am aware (thru quick google search) that the pub has been closed about 2 years.  My only concern is if work is *just* about to start on it and I may be moving into a flat that might be affected by building works / noise in the adjoining property.

P.S.  I am new here (on the forum) and relocating from London, but have liked Dawlish and Devon for some time !!

Hi there and welcome to Dawlish.

The pub is being converted into apartments. I believe that a lot of work has already been completed and that anyway it's nearly all internal refurbishment rather than a demolition and rebuild job. 

I'm sure that any disruption would be minimal and for only a short time - and anyway the final result will be far better than having to live next door to an empty derelict pub.  

Enjoy your new home, Dawlish itself is fantastic. 

Thanks so much, Nelson!

It is comforting to know it is only being converted into flats / residential accommodation and not a new pub / restaurant or food type shop.

Hi Sharonimo.

I believe, the walls/rooms ajoining the backs of Regent Street houses are being demolished. There was a considerable amount of banging and drilling on Bank Holiday Monday going on and this also happens on the odd day during the week between 8.30am and 4pm. (May I point out that work on the property doesn't seem to be done every day, so I don't know how long it will be until its completion date.)

Just to let you know, if you have a car, you will probably find it difficult to park overnight. The number of spaces are dwindling and are likely to decrease further if more flats, houses, etc. are being built in the localised area.

After all this, I hope that you will enjoy living in Dawlish and make new friends quickly!

Hi Jansy, Thanks for your answer. Of course when I went to view the flat on Saturday 2nd June there was no works and no noise and I got a very quiet and peaceful impression. However if works do occur during day times 8am - 4pm I would be at work. I have now put down a small holding deposit with the letting agents as out of all the properties I have looked at online, or been to view in person (3 properties) this particular flat did appeal to me the most. It is 95% certain I have a job lined up which will be in an Exeter law firm (I know it is 12 miles travelling by bus or train to Exeter but I just did not like any of the central Exeter flats I looked at). At the moment I don't have a car and will be relying on public transport for my first few months living in Devon. However, it would be my long term plan to take some refresher lessons and get a car again - I know there is limited parking in the small narrow streets, but I will have to cross that bridge when I come to it !! Thanks, Sharon

@Sharonimo I live in winchester(hampshire) and I have been holidaying/staying here in dawlish ever since I  was 16. I am now 52 nearly 53. I love dawlish,lovely people and it is a lovely place to stay. I am sure that you have picked a great place to live. When I come down here on the 7th.july I too will also be looking for a job here or in Exeter, as well as holidaying.

@stephen15 hello and thanks!  i am 44 and single.  i have been living and working in london for nearly 15 years (was born in dorset) and this year was given the opportunity to take voluntary redundancy and decided to grab the chance to get out of the london rat race.  as i have only been renting in london and am not tied to a husband/partner or children, the decision for me to move away has been very easy.  my family (dad and brothers and wives) are still based in dorset (weymouth and wimborne) but for a number of reasons i have chosen to move into the county next door, the lovely devon, rather than dorset.