TWO FACES OF TORQUAY

We are unfortunately still in a recession whatever is stated by the politicians and economists. While Torquay's seafront looks prosperous enough looking beyond the facade there is a problem. That is why events such as the Agatha Christie Festival are so important to the town's hotels and businesses. I worked for 15 years in a seaside town not far from Torquay and there were people who visited in June bought a business in September, because they loved the place and thought the setting beautiful, but by February they were in a state of distress.

There is perhaps no more depressing place in the developed world than an English seaside town at 6.30 p.m. on a winter's evening, but I will suggest a great setting for an extra winter crime fiction festival.

Torquay and the Torbay area certainly need the Agatha Christie Festival and crime fiction tourists to bring much needed revenue to the South West, long may the festival flourish. Next year the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever as it will be celebrating the 120th anniversary of the author's birth.

Torquay's serious problem of shop vacancies earlier in the year.