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Inside Barnstaple’s bold new creative hub set to transform town centre

North Devon Council
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Inside Barnstaple’s bold new creative hub set to transform town centre

North Devon Council is inviting people to explore a brand‑new creative hub in the heart of Barnstaple, as it opens the doors to 36 and 37 Boutport Studios for two open days.

Following extensive redevelopment works, the buildings will be open to visitors on

  • Wednesday 15 April 
  • Thursday 16 April

Council officers will be on hand on both days from 10 am to 3 pm to show people around the new studios and workspaces and answer questions.

The open days are aimed at individuals, organisations and businesses working within the creative and cultural industries who may be interested in becoming part of this exciting new development. Visitors can simply turn up, view the spaces available and speak to staff about potential opportunities.

36 Boutport Street will become a cultural space for artists and events, including a shared artists’ studio and a bookable function space on the first floor over the new bar restaurant on the ground floor.

37 Boutport Street is a new‑build development with 9 individual workshops on the ground floor and housing units above.

The project forms part of the council’s wider Market Quarter project providing a new creative hub for North Devon, in the heart of Barnstaple historic town centre.

The development at 36 and 37 Boutport Street combines the character of historic buildings with the benefits of a new build, creating inspiring workspaces and the opportunity to join a community of like-minded creative people.

The Market Quarter project was developed following extensive consultation with local people, the business community and partner organisations, as part of the council’s wider Barnstaple Vision initiative, which sets out a long‑term vision for the future of the town.

Councillor Malcolm Prowse, Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at North Devon Council, said: “I am extremely proud of this project. It has taken a huge amount of hard work from everyone involved to get to this point. It is fantastic to see buildings with so much history and heritage being brought back into use in the heart of Barnstaple.

“We would encourage anyone with an interest in the creative and cultural sectors to come along to the open days and see the amazing spaces on offer!”

The building is expected to open fully in the summer, once phase three of the adjacent car park works has been completed.

Newton Abbot market hall revamp set to wow as opening nears at last

Teignbridge District Council
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Newton Abbot market hall revamp set to wow as opening nears at last

An ambitious project to redevelop Newton Abbot’s historic Grade II listed market hall will be completed within the next few weeks.

The major regeneration, which began in November 2024, has seen the market hall and square reinvigorated into a flexible shopping and entertainment space suitable for daytime and evening trading and events.

Blending a rich commercial heritage with a contemporary space designed for modern town centre life, the updated market hall includes new street food units, a bar, improved retail spaces, and a flexible area for pop-up market stalls and events.

The sympathetic restoration includes the removal of part of the 1970s food hall to reveal the original Market Square frontage and the installation of a stunning central staircase.

Access to the venue has been improved with the addition of a new entrance to the venue from Market Street and the reinstatement of a pedestrian walkway connecting the Alexandra Cinema on Market Street to Market Square.

New paving and infrastructure in Market Square, including new seating and planters and the installation of exterior electricity supplies, will support future events and support ambitions for Newton Abbot’s markets quarter to become a vibrant and welcoming destination for daytime and evening trading and entertainment.

The project has been funded by the UK government’s Future High Streets Fund.

Teignbridge District Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy, Estates and Major Projects, Councillor David Palethorpe, said: “We’re thrilled with how the regeneration project has transformed the Market Hall into a dynamic civic space and we’re really looking forward to seeing residents and visitors make the most of the space to socialise, shop, eat and enjoy a programme of exciting events.

We’re very grateful to all the market traders, local businesses and residents for their patience throughout the redevelopment.”

Totnes firms shape future as economic plan moves from talk to action

South Hams District Council
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Totnes firms shape future as economic plan moves from talk to action

We have published the results of the Totnes Community Economic Plan (CEP) consultation, following engagement with local businesses and organisations between May and August 2025.

The results are now available to view and provide an evidence base to help shape delivery priorities over the coming years.

Over the last six months, the Totnes CEP steering group has reviewed consultation feedback and identified the key outcomes and topics prioritised by the Totnes and Dartington business and organisation community. Publishing the results marks a major milestone in the 18-month programme of engagement with local businesses, organisations and stakeholders across the town.

The Totnes Community Economic Plan was led by us, working closely with Totnes Town Council. This collaborative effort was supported by a steering group comprised of local business owners, community organisations, and residents all volunteering their time regularly.

The consultation was developed by reviewing previous plans and consultations, with regular steering group meetings to ensure a wide range of perspectives were reflected in the questions and engagement approach.

This Plan builds on the foundations of the Totnes Neighbourhood Plan, adopted in November 2023, taking a focused look at economic resilience, employment, transport, skills and sustainability.

Following analysis of the consultation data, Totnes CEP has entered its delivery phase. Topic-based task groups have been identified and priority projects will be set out in individual five-year project plans, to be progressed collaboratively and as funding opportunities arise.

The consultation highlighted several priorities and challenges for local businesses, including:

  • Marketing and business development: stronger support with marketing and fundraising.
  • Business forum: interest in training, events and networking opportunities.
  • Digital connectivity: improved infrastructure in some areas to support efficiency and customer service.
  • Traffic and transport: improved access for those walking, wheeling and cycling across the town.
  • Business waste: improved recycling and composting services.
  • Local procurement: interest in buying more local goods and services to boost the local economy.

Businesses called for practical action on these issues, alongside wider measures to support a collaborative and sustainable local economy.

Cllr John Birch, SHDC’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “The Community Economic Plan is about listening carefully to the people who power Totnes’ economy day in, day out.

“By publishing the consultation results, we’re making sure the evidence is transparent and shared, so that businesses, community partners and councils can work together on clear priorities, whether that’s strengthening local networks, improving connectivity or supporting sustainable growth. This is a significant step in turning ideas into deliverable projects and attracting the investment needed to make them happen.”

Work will now continue to develop the draft economic plan, with ongoing collaboration between SHDC, Totnes Town Council and the Totnes CEP steering group to monitor progress and align delivery with available grant funding and investment opportunities.

Totnes Town Council’s, Cllr Nick Roberts, said: ““The CEP consultation was a great opportunity for TTC to hear directly from businesses and voluntary organisations. TTC has undertaken community consultations previously, but this process has allowed us to specifically hear what the benefits and challenges of running a business in Totnes and Dartington are.  We visited high street shops, industrial estates and had stands in the civic square market. Many of the stories we heard were very positive, but clearly there are factors which negatively impact our businesses. Through the CEP we aim to understand and address some of these factors. A healthy economy for Totnes greatly benefits those that live, socialise and work in the area.”

The CEP is intended to build on Totnes’ strengths as a place where people want to live, work and visit, while helping the town prepare for future economic and environmental challenges.

The published results provide a clear evidence base to support funding bids, partnership working and community-led initiatives, helping Totnes to attract investment and deliver the projects that matter most to the business community.

The full results and ongoing updates can be viewed on the My Totnes Commonplace platform, where the community can continue to track progress and see how ideas are being turned into action: https://mytotnes.commonplace.is

Plymouth pupils net real skills as seafood project fires up future chefs

Devon Today
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Plymouth pupils net real skills as seafood project fires up future chefs

A simmering pot, sharp knives and fresh catch set the scene as pupils swapped theory for practice, stepping into the fast-paced world of professional kitchens under the guidance of industry experts.

Students from All Saints Academy Plymouth have been gaining hands-on experience of the food industry through a community project with the Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association.

Year nine pupils worked alongside chef Matt Corner and chief executive Edward Baker in one of the school’s technology kitchens, batch producing a fish soup.

The session offered a practical application of skills developed in food and nutrition lessons. Students prepared vegetables and fish while learning directly from professionals in the seafood sector.

The finished soup was described as a success, with pupils expressing pride in both the process and the final dish. The experience also provided an insight into food production and potential careers within catering and the seafood industry.

All Saints Academy Plymouth, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, combines academic learning with practical and professional opportunities. The school said initiatives such as this help prepare students for apprenticeships, employment in local industries and further education through a broad careers programme.

Head teacher Scott Simpson-Horne said: “It was brilliant to see our students getting stuck in and applying what they’ve learned in the classroom.

“Working alongside industry professionals gave them real insight into the food industry, and it’s wonderful to see their confidence and teamwork in action.”

Edward Baker, chief executive of the Plymouth Fishing and Seafood Association, said: “It is great being able to work with local students to show them the diversity of fresh local fish that is available on their doorstep.

“It is especially good to see their enthusiasm and know that you are passing on knowledge about making the best use of all our food to the next generation.

“It’s a pleasure working with All Saints Academy.”

Devon library heroes shortlisted for top award after going above and beyond

Libraries Unlimited
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Devon library heroes shortlisted for top award after going above and beyond

Two Libraries Unlimited staff members have been shortlisted for the national Libraries Connected Awards 2026. The awards celebrate the achievements and impact of library workers on their library service, local communities and customers.  

Emma Ward from South Molton Library has been shortlisted for the reading category. Emma took on running three book groups to support children, teen and adult reading. To ensure people have the best experience in these groups, Emma has been reading and preparing in her own time. She has worked to engage young people by redesigning the Teen Library to make it inclusive and welcoming. Emma improved access to the Teen Library by using local teens’ feedback to inform the changes, ensuring they feel ownership over the new space.  

Beth Harris, Libraries Unlimited’s Health and Wellbeing Development Manager, has been shortlisted for the Health and Wellbeing award. Beth has worked to transform the library service’s offer and strengthen the charity’s reputation as a partner on health and wellbeing initiatives. She has secured funding and collaborated to bring programmes and resources to Devon and Torbay. These include making blood pressure monitors available in all libraries, media literacy workshops in partnership with The Guardian Foundation, and The Outdoor Explorer Club, which helps make the outdoors more accessible. 

The awards are organised by Libraries Connected, a charity representing public library services across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies. The shortlist will be considered by an expert panel, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in June. 

Alex Kittow, Chief Executive Officer, at Libraries Unlimited, shared: “It’s a huge honour to have not one but two members of staff shortlisted! We are delighted that Emma and Beth have received this national recognition for their hard work in going above and beyond to enrich and resource community wellbeing. Libraries have the power to transform lives, but that would not be possible without people like Emma and Beth who bring so much heart, thought and enthusiasm to their work.” 

Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said: “Huge congratulations to all the staff who have been shortlisted for the Libraries Connected Awards 2026. We had a record-breaking number of nominations this year and the range of projects put forward shows just how creative and committed library workers are, even in challenging times. It’s inspiring to see how staff respond to local needs, find new ways to connect people and ensure that libraries remain welcoming and trusted places for everyone. We’re delighted to recognise their achievements.” 

 The awards are sponsored by OverDrive, a digital content distributor for libraries and schools worldwide. 

Devon pupils pile up pennies as Comic Relief laughs its way to £30m

Devon Today
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Devon pupils pile up pennies as Comic Relief laughs its way to £30m

Laughter turned into loose change as Devon schoolchildren did their bit for Comic Relief, with coin towers, crazy hair and funny outfits helping to boost the charity’s latest fundraising drive.

After an evening of comedy sketches, singing and dancing, Comic Relief announced that £30 million had been raised.

The charity was launched in 1985 and the first Red Nose Day telethon was held in 1988, raising £15 million and drawing an audience of more than 30 million viewers, according to the source material provided by the user.

Schools across Devon were among those joining in with fundraising activities.

Comic Relief 2026 – Tidcombe Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Tidcombe Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Tidcombe Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Tidcombe Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Tidcombe Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Tidcombe Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Tidcombe Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Tidcombe Primary School

At Priory Catholic Primary School, pupils in Buttercups Class, made up of Reception and Year 1 children, took part in tower building and money design activities using 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and £1 coins. The school said it raised £287.51.

Tidcombe Primary in Tiverton said: “Today the children came to school with crazy hair, helping to raise money for Comic Relief.”

At The Beacon Church of England Primary and Pre-School in Exmouth, children and staff wore something funny for money as part of the appeal.

Comic Relief 2026 – Priory Catholic Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Priory Catholic Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Priory Catholic Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Priory Catholic Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Priory Catholic Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Priory Catholic Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Priory Catholic Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Priory Catholic Primary School
Comic Relief 2026 – Priory Catholic Primary School

Comic Relief telethons have now been held 21 times, with Red Nose Day taking place every two years rather than annually in some years.

DEVON VOICES: “Education and early prevention are key to tackling drugs”

Alison Hernandez
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DEVON VOICES: “Education and early prevention are key to tackling drugs”

The impact of illegal drugs within our communities is utterly devasting on so many different levels which is why tackling it remains one of the top priorities within my Police and Crime Plan. 

Drug taking can not only lead to tragic consequences for users but also significantly impacts on the lives of families, businesses and communities affected by it. To disrupt the supply of drugs across the South West, relentless co-ordinated efforts have included creating a “ring of steel” to prevent them from entering the region. It is working and is sending out a clear message that drugs will not be tolerated here.  

This has been achieved through collaborative partnerships and adopting an intelligence led approach, aided by vital information provided by the public. Drug warrants and seizures have been carried out in many areas across our region within the past few weeks including Camborne, Bodmin, Porthleven and South Molton.  

The latter saw police carry out a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at a disused building on Broad Street. Officers located a cannabis grow and arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of being concerned in the production of a Class B drug. 

A much larger scale police operation recently led to six people being sentenced to a total of nearly 40 years in prison for flooding North Devon with cocaine, estimated to be worth £4 million. 

The organised crime group had members in North Devon, West Yorkshire and Merseyside. They utilised couriers who travelled to Liverpool to pick up cocaine and transport it to Devon where it would be distributed to street sellers for onward sale. 

It is imperative that drugs are taken off the streets and those who supply them receive the appropriate sentences, while also helping to safeguard vulnerable people impacted by their crimes. 

At my last Commissioner’s Accountability Board meeting – held monthly to hold the police to account on behalf of the people of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – one of the areas I sought assurance on was the delivery of my Police and Crime Plan priority of drugs and alcohol.  

I was encouraged to hear about successes being achieved through the force’s OPCC funded Drugs Intel Desk. This small but heavily influential team help identify drug threats, disrupt organised crime groups and work with partner agencies and other forces to tackle drug-related issues. 

The police’s dedicated Licensing Team are also working hard to reduce issues and offences relating to not just drugs but also alcohol and antisocial behaviour. They use an engagement, education and enforcement approach and have good productive working relationships with the majority of licensees and partner organisations.   

This month also saw another successful iteration of Operation Scorpion with South West police forces targeting illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation during a week of action. 

It included police officers in Liskeard carrying out high-visibility patrols on trains as part of their ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal activity linked to rail networks, including county lines. 

During the Operation Scorpion week of action across Devon and Cornwall, the following was achieved: 

  • 17 people were safeguarded (14 adults, 3 under 18) 
  • 17 people were arrested 
  • 14 cuckooed addresses were visited – where criminals take over someone’s home to use it as a base for crime 
  • 1.5g of crack seized 
  • 0.15g heroin seized 
  • 2239.8g cocaine seized 
  • 50g of cannabis resin seized 
  • £12,013 in cash seized 
  • 7 weapons seized – including 4 air weapons, 1 knuckleduster and 1 telescopic baton 

Education and early prevention are key to tackling drugs, so police officers and the Youth Engagement Team visited schools and delivered awareness presentations alongside Designated Safeguarding Leads about county lines and exploitation to children in nine schools across Cornwall. Local police teams conducted high visibility patrols and engaged with the public in areas known for drug activity in Plymouth, Exeter and Camborne. 

All these great efforts deserve to be acknowledged, as does the need to tackle the root causes of drug use. That is why my office gives funding to some excellent organisations that are helping people struggling with drug addiction and ones which are protecting young people from exploitation. 

If we are to win the battle against drugs, much more still has to be done and I remain committed to ensuring that happens. 

At my Commissioner’s Accountability Board meeting I referred to earlier, it was recognised that strategic leadership and direction within Devon & Cornwall Police could be strengthened to further tackle the problem of drugs and alcohol. This has led me to be ‘part assured’ within this Police and Crime Plan priority and I will continue to monitor how that work is progressing. 

In the meantime, I would encourage anyone who is struggling with drug addiction, or knows someone who is, to reach out for lifechanging, non-judgemental support. 

My office provides funding to four combatting drug partnerships. For support, please contact: 

DEVON VOICES: “People in North Devon who are making difficult choices”

Ian Roome
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DEVON VOICES: “People in North Devon who are making difficult choices”

This past month has shown just how exposed rural communities like ours are to global conflicts unfolding thousands of miles away, and how a regional war can drive up global prices.

Strikes on major gas infrastructure linked to Iran’s South Pars field, responsible for the vast majority of the country’s gas production, were followed by retaliatory attacks affecting Qatar’s Ras Laffan, the single largest hub for liquefied natural gas exports in the world. Since then, Iranian missiles have reportedly been fired at Diego Garcia and Trump’s rhetoric has also intensified dramatically, which has only heightened concerns about how far this conflict could escalate.

Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz has remained effectively blocked and under the control of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – a group we Liberal Democrats have continuously called on the government to proscribe – and, because of that, we have seen oil and gas prices jumping sharply, with household bills set to rise even further this year.

Those who rely on heating oil in North Devon were already feeling the pressure. In a meeting with MPs representing some of the UK’s most rural areas, the Energy Minister said that the government wanted evidence from consumers to support action by the Competition and Markets Authority against price gouging and anti-competitive practices. In response, I launched a local survey into heating oil, LPG and red diesel users to collect evidence to send on to the Minister to highlight the scale of the issue in North Devon and push for urgent action. The results showed that many people were being quoted prices 100-150% higher than usual, some even reporting increases of over 200%, and many unable to successfully place a new order.

The Government’s response so far has felt slow to say the least. There was a £53 support package for heating oil, which is welcome, as any recognition that off-grid households need support is long overdue. But it doesn’t match the scale of what may be coming down the track.

Although prices are still a long way off the peaks seen in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a roughly 25% spike in gas prices in a single morning is a warning siren. Without action, these increases will begin feeding through to the price cap by the summer, as Ofgem calculates it based on average wholesale prices over the three-month observation window.

That is why we Liberal Democrats have been calling for an emergency COBRA meeting to urgently set out a plan to protect households from what could become a £500 hit. I am glad that the Prime Minister has now agreed to convene COBRA to assess the impact of the conflict, but this must be the starting point for decisive action and a stand against Trump and his war of choice.

Because, as this all goes on, I am hearing directly from people in North Devon who are making difficult choices about which rooms they can’t afford to heat, limiting hot water, and taking on debt to get through the month. This is not sustainable, and it is not acceptable.

Rural homes are often harder and more expensive to heat as it is, and too many have been left behind when it comes to insulation and energy efficiency. This conflict has made it all the more clear that we need a serious long-term plan, one that includes a renewed commitment to building zero-carbon homes that are cheaper to run from the outset and rebuilding ties with Europe. Without that, we will remain exposed not just to this crisis, but the next one as well.

Plymouth council rebuts online claims over asylum hotel rumours

Devon Today
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Plymouth council rebuts online claims over asylum hotel rumours

Rumours swirling online about a closed hotel being prepared to house asylum seekers have been firmly dismissed by local officials, who say the claims are entirely false.

Plymouth City Council has issued a statement addressing what it describes as “fake news” circulating on social media regarding the use of hotels in the city.

The grade-II listed Duke of Cornwall Hotel – at the centre of the allegations – remains closed after it shut its doors at short notice in February to undertake an “essential improvement project”.

In a public update, the council said: “We have seen that there are rumours spreading online about a hotel in the city that is currently closed that is apparently ‘being prepped’ to be a hotel for asylum seekers. This is fake news.”

The authority added that no hotels in the area, whether open or closed, are being prepared for such use.

Responding to further speculation in online comments, the council reiterated its position, stating: “To reflect the further fake news from people’s comments below – there are NO hotels in the city being used as asylum hotels.”

A spokesperson for the Duke of Cornwall Hotel added: “‘The Duke of Cornwall is currently temporarily closed to undertake an essential improvement project. In light of recent misinformation that’s been shared online, we would like to confirm that there is no truth to the rumours about the hotel opening as an asylum hotel. Our improvement works are progressing as planned, and we look forward to welcoming our guests back through our doors when we re-open this summer.’”

The statement comes amid growing online discussion, with officials seeking to clarify the situation and counter misinformation.

Drug dealer who claimed to be North Devon tourist is jailed

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Drug dealer who claimed to be North Devon tourist is jailed

A drug dealer who tried to claim he arrived in North Devon as a tourist has been jailed for 30 months.

Bulgarian national Aleksandar Dobrev, 47, appeared at Exeter Crown Court for sentence on Thursday 26 March after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply a class A drug (cocaine) and acquiring/using/possessing criminal property.

The court heard how on Thursday 19 February two officers were on patrol in North Walk, Barnstaple, when they noticed a black Ford Focus due to the manner in which it was being driven.

The vehicle was stopped and Dobrev identified himself under the name Nikolinov Dobrev, saying he’d recently arrived in the country as a tourist.

The vehicle which Dobrev was travelling in was searched and an officer located 23 capsules of white powder within a sock hidden in a panel behind the steering wheel.

Dobrev was also found in possession of £705 cash. He was taken to custody where a further three capsules of white powder was found in his sock.

In interview Dobrev claimed the drugs in the car were not his. When asked about the drugs located on him in custody, Dobrev said the cocaine was for a party because “everybody does cocaine these days”.

Officer in the case DC Callum South said: “We welcome the sentence given to Aleksander Dobrev at Exeter Crown Court.

“Illegal drug use continues to have a devastating impact on communities across Devon and Cornwall with drug dealers often targeting society’s most vulnerable.

“We will continue to target the drug dealers who pedal misery. We fight tirelessly to bring them to justice and make our streets safer.

“Anybody who has concerns about illegal drugs use in their community should report it via 101 or our website, or 999 in case of an emergency.”

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