Visiting Paignton town centre could be akin to going on a safari trip if what’s being talked about in the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) business plan comes into fruition.

Models of lions and giraffes, for instance, could be dotted about the centre of the seaside town as part of “safari” competitions – a joint promotion with businesses and Paignton Zoo.   

The aim is to attract more families to the often baron town centre.

Paignton’s BID business plan has been published ahead of a ballot of local firms next month. It’s hoped that if enough traders vote “yes” then the BID will be able to raise £125,000 each year for five years to be spent on revamping the town centre.

Other plans include making Palace Avenue Gardens an entertainment area and in the off-season farmers’ markets, flea markets and auto markets.

The town’s lack of Christmas feel was criticised on this site last month so many will be pleased to hear that £20,000 a year for the next five years is also planned to be spent on improving Paignton’s much-maligned festive lights.

Such plans met a mixed reaction when a spoke with a few Paignton people this morning.

“It sounds like they want to make Paignton an extension of the zoo. I’m not really for that.”

But I can see why the zoo would be pushing for this,” said local resident Tom Sanders.

“Give it a shot,” urged Sally Hunt. “Nothing else has really worked has it!”

Marc Gerolimatos, a local businessman, said: “The markets sound like a good idea because in the winter the town and Palace Avenue is dead.”

He added: “But I still think the parking charges are in the town is the biggest problem though.”

For further information see: http://www.torbaytowncentrescompany.co.uk