Old Monastery in Paignton: Free Community Event Set for August

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-07 11:29 3 min read

Ancient stone monastery building with arched windows and a tall tower in England.

The historic Old Monastery in Paignton is officially entering a new chapter as it opens its doors to the public for a community inauguration event on Sunday, 16 August 2026. This milestone follows the successful transfer of the building from Torbay Council to the Paignton Monastery Community Interest Company (CIC) for a nominal sum, securing the site for future community-led use.

Event Details and Attendance

This inauguration serves as the first major opportunity for local residents to engage directly with the project and view the site as it begins its transition into a functional community hub. The event is free to attend, and no prior booking is required for entry.

Detail	Information
Date	Sunday, 16 August 2026
Time	11:00 – 16:00
Location	Paignton Monastery
Cost	Free
Booking	Not required

What to Expect at the Inauguration

The event is designed to provide residents with a transparent look at the current state of the monastery and an opportunity to influence its long-term development. Attendees will have the chance to meet the directors of the Paignton Monastery CIC to ask questions about the project’s vision and share their own ideas for how the building can best serve the local area.

Old Monastery in Paignton: Free Community Event Set for August

Visitors will be permitted to view the current condition of the building in areas where safe access has been established. Furthermore, for those interested in the physical restoration of the site, there will be opportunities to assist with initial maintenance work in the grounds, which has already commenced.

Future Development and Site Access

While the handover to the CIC is a significant achievement, the monastery will not be fully operational immediately. The building requires a comprehensive programme of internal and external works to ensure it meets safety standards for public use. Consequently, the site will reopen in phases, with specific areas becoming accessible only once they have been assessed and cleared for safety.

Updates regarding the progress of these works, further opportunities for community involvement, and future opening dates will be shared via the official Paignton Monastery CIC website and their Facebook page. For specific inquiries ahead of the inauguration, organizers can be reached via email at info@paigntonmonastery.co.uk.

What this means locally

The transfer of the monastery represents a shift in how local assets are managed, with the council imposing a restrictive covenant to ensure the property remains dedicated to community-based operations. An overage clause has also been included to protect the public interest, ensuring that any future change in the property’s use would result in an uplift in value being returned to the council. This project is intended to serve as a potential model for the regeneration of other at-risk buildings within the area.

Source: Torbay Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Verified Local News

This article is based on the official asset transfer announcement published by Torbay Council.

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