Known as the English Riviera, Torbay is one of Britain’s premier holiday resorts and it receives over 1.5 million visitors each year. Unsurprisingly, tourism underpins Torbay’s economy. Its present role as a holiday destination began in the Napoleonic period, when because of the war the continent was closed to travellers.
The three towns of Torquay, Brixham and Paignton have a combined population of over 120,000, making Torbay the third largest urban area in the South West. During the summer season this figure swells to an average 200,000 as visitors and holiday makers pour in.
Torbay boasts an array of leisure opportunities from the marinas at Torquay and Brixham, to the zoo in Paignton and the Riviera Centre in Torquay. Torbay also has around 1,700 acres of public gardens.
With a majority of twelve, this is the Liberal Democrats’ second most vulnerable seat.