Torbay Council to meet Torquay United over ‘fan zone’ plans

'The area is currently a dog toilet' says co-chairman

Slow progress on plans for a new match-day ‘fan zone’ outside Torquay United’s Plainmoor stadium are up frustrating the duo heading the football club.

Co-chairmen Mark Bowes-Cavanagh and Michael Westcott voiced their concerns in a recent ‘Chairmen’s Chat’ video.

But the council insists it is open to talks.

The fan zone plans were part of a wide-ranging discussion which also confirmed that owner Bryn Consortium has kept its promise to pay off the club’s outstanding debts less than a year after taking on the club from administration.

Proposals to improve the ‘offer’ for fans going to home games are seen as a key to attracting bigger crowds and more income for the club which is currently locked in an end-of-season promotion race at the top of National League South.

In the video, the co-chairmen explain that the club is asking the council, which owns Plainmoor, to incorporate a piece of grass land outside the stadium into United’s lease. “It’s currently a dog toilet,” said Mr Westcott.

The club wants to make the area behind the Ellacombe end of Plainmoor it a ‘multi-use’ area with the fan zone, possible parking spaces and areas which match sponsors can use.

Mr Westcott said discussions with the council had been ‘frustratingly slow’. “We’ve had a couple of meetings that have been cancelled,” he said. “We’re still waiting to get all the right people in the room.

“We are frustrated by the pace at which things move. I think there is goodwill there, but they don’t move very quickly.”

Mr Bowes-Cavanagh added; “It’s a great opportunity for the council to get involved in this, but it has taken about six months to get a meeting with the right people in the room.”

A spokesperson for Torbay Council said meetings had been held, and a number of club-related matters discussed. A follow-up meeting requested by the council is to be held this week.

The spokesman went on: “In terms of the matter of a fan zone beside the swimming pool at the Ellacombe end of the ground, the council is not aware of any direct request about this specific matter.

“If the club wishes to discuss this, the council is open to hear the fan zone proposals on a totally non-prejudicial basis.”