Ilfracombe gets its turn to shine

Last week’s opening of a new flagship watersports centre which will put Ilfracombe on a level playing field with neighbouring seaside communities will be a major boon for the North Devon coastline on the back of its designation as a World Surfing Reserve, councillors said this week.

The long-awaited centre run by North Devon District Council, which was opened by parliamentary under secretary of state for levelling up Dehenna Davison MP, was made possible by £1.5 million from the Heart of the South West LEP, £1.35 million for the Coastal Communities Fund and £130,000 from Sport England.

It will provide up to 30 jobs and revamps the last corner area of Ilfracombe harbour giving visitors an experience of the town on foot from the pier and Damian Hirst’s ‘Verity’ statue through to the pedestrianised streets of the town centre.

Cllr Malcolm Wilkinson (Lib Dem, Mortehoe) described the hub as a “massive boost” for Ilfracombe and North Devon and was recognition of the “huge amount” of watersports’ activity in the district.

Previously people who wanted to go on the water had to use the toilets or temporary changing rooms in the car park. In contrast, the prime North Devon beach locations of Croyde Bay, Woolacombe and Saunton Sands have benefited from new beachside facilities.

“North Devon thrives on its coastline and we are very proud of all the activities that go on here,” added Cllr Wilkinson. “The new centre will be a home to the gig club, young sail club and canoe club, support local businesses, be open to all the community and it also has a very good café/restaurant.

“The centre will also focus on wellbeing and the early morning cold water swimmers use it as a base too.”

Contractors Pearce Construction delivered the project after taking on the site in spring 2021. The location, nestled in Larkstone Cove, and the requirement for a new sea wall and slipway, made it a complex build. The bespoke sea wall blocks are modelled to fit the shape of cove, and could only be installed at certain points of the Ilfracombe tide.

Lead member for regeneration, economic development and planning Cllr Malcolm Prowse (Ind, Bratton Fleming) said Ilfracombe was due funding.

“A lot of money has been spent in Barnstaple and it was Ilfracombe’s turn. This new centre is fantastic, it is a jewel tucked in the cove and looks like a continental destination.

“In terms of regeneration, it will be used by people all over North Devon and will provide 25 to 30 jobs as a minimum which is a lot for a town of this size which has had its problems with unemployment.”

Managing director of H2Outdoor Matt de Havilland, whose business is one of three based at the centre, said the centre is just what is needed in Ilfracombe.

“It’s a brilliant boost for commercial facilities and for getting people out on the water to experience new things. Places like Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton have great facilities on the beach, but Ilfracombe had nothing until now. It has a stunning piece of coastline but before we just had a car park with toilets in. We have been waiting years to get this and as a business it enables us to do so much more, it will help us to expand and run apprenticeships.”

Cllr Paul Crabb (Con, Ilfracombe East) said this was a great good news story where £3 milllion of government funding had come to Ilfracombe.

“It has exceeded our expectations. I am impressed by the number of commercial operators who have come forward to be part of this and it’s a brilliant space for watersports. It links up with Surfing Reserve and all our clubs really well.”

The 30-kilometre stretch of the North Devon coastline was dedicated a World Surfing Reserve by the Save the Waves Coalition in May in recognition of its outstanding surfing destinations and is one of 12 in the world; Malibu in California, the Gold Coast in Australia and Ericeira in Portugal are among the others.

The status will give the surfing community and others a voice in decision making processes that affect the coastline and some of the best beaches in the UK. A study in 2008 found that surfing was estimated to bring in more than £50 million to the area every year and supports around 1500 jobs.

The tourism industry is the main employer along the coastline and the new designation is expected to do a lot to protect the bathing water from pollution and plastic waste.

North Devon District Council’s sport facilities have received another boost in the last year with the opening of the £15 million Tarka Leisure Centre in Barnstaple. Again money was granted from the Coastal Communities Fund and £1.8 million from the National Lottery via Sport England.

An ‘endless ski slope’ giving people the opportunity to try out skiing and snowboarding is one highlight, together with improvements to the existing tennis centre and swimming facilities.