Dawlish News

The woman appointed to promote the seaside resorts of Teignmouth and Dawlish has said she is 'really excited' about getting stuck into her new role.

Teignmouth and Dawlish Town Centre Development Manager Emma Kay, 26, has started her new job as the person tasked with helping to revitalise the retail experience in each town.

She will play a major role in encouraging investment, developing exciting new projects, working with the community and supporting enterprise in both towns. Emma has already spent time meeting the people and organisations she will be working with across both resorts.

Exeter-born Emma brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked as the Aylesbury Town Centre Projects Officer for the last three years. As part of the Aylesbury Town Centre Management Team, her role was to organise and co-ordinate events to raise the profile of the town centre to attract more shoppers. In one year she coordinated 300 events.

Mrs Kay said:

"I am so excited about this new role. I can't wait to meet all the traders, councillors, businesses and other organisations associated with both towns.

"I feel very passionately about town centres and how they can look at new ways of doing things to entice shoppers and visitors in to exploring their streets and stores.

"Working across two very different and unique towns is going to be really interesting and challenging but it is something I am looking forward to. It's great to be back in Devon.

"The next few weeks are going to be really busy. I want to meet as many people as possible, introduce myself and listen to what they have to say about their town and how we can work together to benefit the area."

The role of the Town Centre Development Manager was just one success from separate economy-boosting deals struck by Teignbridge District Council.

The funds for the post were created through the Morrisons development in Teignmouth and Sainsbury's in Dawlish, as a part of a condition for each retailer obtaining planning permission for new stores.

The role is being managed by a new Teignmouth and Dawlish Community Interest Company (CIC) which is made up of representatives from traders groups, town and district councillors. The CIC is designed to drive forward projects and schemes that help create strong, sustainable and socially inclusive economies.

Edward Chorlton OBE - himself a Teignmouth resident - is the independent Chairman of the CIC board.

Mr Chorlton said:

"We are really pleased to welcome Emma to Teignmouth and Dawlish and we are all looking forward to working with her. We were really impressed with her enthusiasm and feel sure that her experience, her contacts and her knowledge will benefit both towns.

"The advent of the CIC represents a real opportunity for traders, councillors and businesses in Teignmouth and Dawlish to work together on some really exciting projects which will maintain and enhance the vibrancy of each resort.

"Teignbridge's success in securing Section 106 contributions which led to the creation of the CIC and the Town Centre Development Manager role cannot be understated. It is a real boost and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Teignbridge for all the work it has done to get us to this point.

"There are lots of wonderful reasons why people should visit and shop each town, from the famous black swans of Dawlish to the historic Teignmouth Pier. There's a lot of work to do but we are all confident that with Emma's experience, help and enthusiasm, we can help the town centre traders continue to grow and flourish."

Teignbridge District Council's Leader Cllr Jeremy Christophers said:

"We are delighted to welcome Emma to Teignbridge. The creation of her role is a great example of how our work on economic development can help towards the greater good of our communities and town centres. Newton Abbot has already seen the benefit of a similar role and this special position for Teignmouth and Dawlish ensures a positive and consistent approach to encourage renewed life into our town centres.

"Emma arrives at a very exciting time and we are sure that she will be a great asset to both towns. We hope her appointment helps fulfil the potential for each resort."

Source: Teignbridge District Council