Details of our service availability over the upcoming Christmas and New Year period can be found below. Information on a wide range of services can also be accessed via our website during this time.

Libraries

All Torbay libraries will be closed from Friday 24 December until Tuesday 28 December. They will reopen on Wednesday 29 December until Friday 31 December and then will be closed until Tuesday 4 January 2022.

Benefits, Council Tax, Business Rates, Highways, Community Protections and Electoral Services

The call centre will be closed from 5pm on Friday 24 December and will reopen Wednesday 29 December through to Friday 31 December from 9am to 5pm.

Town hall reception will be closed from 4pm Friday 24 December and will reopen Wednesday 29 December through to Friday 31 December from 9am to 4pm.

Both Town Hall reception and the call centre will be closed on Monday 3 January and reopen again from Tuesday 4 January at 9am. 

Children’s Services

Children’s Services will be open 9am to 4pm Friday 24 December. The office will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, reopening on Wednesday 29 December through to Friday 31 December and then closed on Monday 3 January, reopening as normal Tuesday 4 January 2022.

The Children’s Services ‘out of office hours’ emergency telephone number is 01803 524519. More information is on our children and families pages.

Housing Options

Housing options will be open throughout Christmas and New Year from 9am until 5pm and can be contacted on 01803 208723.

The Emergency Duty Service will be available out of hours on 0300 4564 876 from 5pm onwards.

Household Support Fund

The Household Support Scheme is open to low income and vulnerable households who may be struggling to pay for essential items and bills.

Please note there is a reduced number of staff working over the Christmas period. If you have enquiries regarding your application during this time, please refer to the contact information available on the Household Support Fund page.

Worried about someone sleeping rough?

If you’re concerned about a rough sleeper in Torbay, we have a team of dedicated Resettlement Workers who can make contact and coordinate appropriate help and support through the Council, community partners and other relevant organisations.

The Resettlement (outreach) team can be contacted by emailing rsi@torbay.gov.uk during office hours. Out of hours help can be reached on 0300 456 4876, or if you think the rough sleeper is in danger call 999.

The location of a person sleeping rough can also be reported via StreetLink by visiting Streetlink, or by calling 0300 500 0914.  

Other organisations who may be able to provide additional or emergency support:

Public Toilets

Opening times may vary over the Christmas and New Year period, to find out more go to the Christmas public toilets opening hours page.

Waste and recycling services

This year there will be no changes to your waste and recycling collections, please put your recycling boxes, food waste bin and wheelie bin/seagull sack out on your usual day of collection by 6am.

The recycling centre will be closed on Saturday 25 December 2021 and Saturday 1 January 2022.

More information on opening times, charges, and to book an appointment. 

Christmas tree disposal

This year SWISCo, on behalf of Torbay Council, will be running Christmas tree collection points on;

  • Saturday 8 January 9am to 2pm
  • Saturday 15 January 9am to 2pm

At Brixham College, Ranscombe Road and Town Hall Car Park in Torquay.

All trees brought to these locations will be composted.

You can also bring your Christmas tree to the recycling centre in Paignton, please remember to book an appointment first via our website.

Christmas parking information

We are offering a range of special offers for nominated council owned car parks to help you shop local throughout December.

You can find out about the Christmas parking offers available on our Christmas parking page.

Bus services in Torbay over Christmas

Details of the Christmas bus services operating in Torbay are shown on our Christmas bus services page. You can also download the complete list of changes. For further information or enquiries please contact the relevant operator.

Emergencies

If you need to report a serious incident to Highways or Community Safety, please call our 24 hour emergency service team on 01803 701310.

Harbours

Torquay Harbour

Torquay Harbour office will be open from 9am to 12pm on Friday 24 December. The office will then be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The office will be open from 9am until 4pm for operational only on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December. Normal opening hours are on Wednesday 29 and Friday 30 December and then will be closed until Tuesday 4 January 2022 where normal services resume.

Paignton Harbour

Paignton Harbour office will be open from 8am until 12pm on Friday 24 December and reopen on Tuesday 4 January where normal services will resume.

Brixham Harbour

Brixham Harbour office will be open from 8am until 12pm on Friday 24 December and reopen on Tuesday 4 January where normal services will resume.

Brixham Security

Open as point of contact in an emergency. All other contacts to be directed via Email to Harbour.authority@torbay.gov.uk and will be replied to as soon as people return to the office.

Registrars

Registrar services will be closed from 4:30pm on Friday 24 December and re-opening on Wednesday 29 December and will be closed from 4:30pm on Friday 31 December opening as normal from Tuesday 4 January 2022.

A registration appointment can be made by calling 01803 207130 or can visit the Registrars pages.

If you need to contact a Registrar in an emergency, please call the out of office hours control centre on 01803 701310. Normal services resume from 9am on Tuesday 4 January 2022.

Torre Abbey

Torre Abbey will be closed from Friday 24 December until Tuesday 25 January 2022.

During the closed period the team will be doing maintenance and general upkeep, as well as staff training and repainting the main gallery.

The café will be closed from Friday 24 until Tuesday 28 December and then closed again from Saturday 1 to Tuesday 4 January 2022. 

To keep up to date with the latest opening times and more information visit the Torre Abbey website.

Road closures 

Several roads near the harbourside in Torquay will be closed on New Year's Eve, from 9pm on Friday 31 December until 4am on 1 January. These include Fleet Street, Cary Parade, The Strand, Victoria Parade and Torwood Street (between The Strand and The Terrace). Diversion routes will be put in place.    

Both Braddons Hill Road West and The Terrace will also be closed near the junction with Montpellier Road to stop traffic entering Fleet Walk.

The taxi ranks located on any of the above highways will be closed during this time, with the exception of Cary Parade taxi rank, which will remain accessible.

A temporary taxi rank will be available on the northern side of Torwood Street in the parking bays from 9pm through to 8am the following morning.

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