Details of various Torbay services' opening hours and emergency contact numbers over Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 can be found below.

Contact Centre (for Housing, Benefits, Housing Children’s Services)

Over the Christmas and New Year period, Torbay Council Switchboard Contact Centre will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday 24 December, and will re-open on Monday 29 December.

The Contact Centre will also be closed on Thursday 1 January 2026. All other days over the Christmas and New Year’s period will be operating on normal opening hours.

The Emergency Duty Service for the Housing Options team and Children’s Services team will be available out of hours on 0300 456 4876 from 5pm onwards.

Town Hall reception

The reception at Torquay Town Hall will be closed on Thursday 25 December, Friday 26 December and Thursday 1 January 2026. It will open as usual (9am to 4pm) all other weekdays.

On Wednesday 24 December, both the Contact Centre, and the Town Hall reception will close at 3:30pm.

Worried about someone sleeping rough?

If you’re concerned about a rough sleeper in Torbay, Torbay Council have a team of dedicated Resettlement Workers who can make contact and offer help and support through the Council, community partners and others.  

The Resettlement (Outreach) team can be contacted directly by emailing rsi@torbay.gov.uk but if you think a rough sleeper is in danger, call 999. 

The location of a person sleeping rough can also be reported by visiting Streetlink or by calling 0300 500 0914. This information will be passed on to the Torbay Council Resettlement team. If the person is under 18, call 999.

SWISCo

Christmas Waste Collection Dates 2025/26

Normal service resumes on 19 January 2026.

Please note - the recycling centre will be closed on Saturday 27 December and Thursday 1 January 2026.

Libraries

Torquay Library

Closed Wednesday 24 December to Sunday 28 December, and Thursday 1 January 2026.

Paignton Library

Closed Wednesday 24 December to Sunday 28 December, and Thursday 1 January 2026.

Brixham Library

Closed Wednesday 24 December to Sunday 28 December, and Thursday 1 January 2026.

Churston Library

Closed Wednesday 24 December to Sunday 28 December, and Thursday 1 January 2026.

Torre Abbey

You can view the winter schedule for Torre Abbey on their website.