IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Long Road, PAIGNTON, TQ4 7TQ

Some very expensive-looking urban landscaping has been undertaken here. This view is over an intricate stone-paved walkway and steps from the dual-carriageway Brixham Road. Very few pedestrians will ever enter the retail park via this route.

This was the main entrance gate to the old STC/Bookham site/ (See Image]) Here the old signs have been left on the gate advising visitors on where to report, etc.

In a tiny corner of the recently opened Devonshire Retail Park, and adjacent to the dual-carriageway Brixham Road, you will (for now) find this 'wildlife hotel'. Maybe the location is so unlikely, the vandals will never find it. The information board pictured bravely claims: 'This ecological shelter will encourage biodiversity and will provide cover for wildlife essential for pollination, pest control and food for other creatures like birds, frogs and hedgehogs'.

The sign for the Fitness Club is all that is now left of the old STC/Bookham enterprise which used to employ around 5000 people. The building by the entrance was used to monitor deliveries, etc. The flagpole in the background has its own circular stone surround but is now completely abandoned and will no doubt be removed in due course.

Part of a large estate west of Goodrington, seen from the start of a short footpath that links to the nearby Brixham Road.

A closer view of the South West Energy Centre. It was a windy and dull Sunday morning. Also see Image]

The road widening which runs from Tweenaway Cross up to the South Devon College vicinity can be seen here towards its end near the South Devon College turning off the ring road which is to the right ahead.

This gate looks like a pedestrian entrance to the old Bookham site, but it could have been just a design feature to present the brand. The red sign on the gate contains "Bookham" underneath the posters. The gate stands at the corner of a busy junction with multiple traffic lights.. Also see Image]

STC was at one time in the 1980s the largest employer in Torbay employing around 5000 staff. A multinational company, it received very large Government support to develop new buildings on the site. Subsequently, a decision was taken to relocate the majority of the business elsewhere in the world. There were widescale redundancies. The enterprise was later taken on by Bookham on a much reduced basis. Eventually, this too left the site. Many of the newly built buildings later became home to what is now South Devon College - these are to the rear of the site away from the road. Today the old STC buildings are being cleared from the site which is part of a very large redevelopment programme along the Torbay ring road. In this view, the tower which still seems to house a transmitter mast has been left standing.

Factory site on Brixham Road, Paignton. Currently owned by Bookham Technology. Eelectronic components have been manufactured on this site for around 50 years.