Could 'Patrick the Pony' save Cockington's visitor centre?
The therapy pony's community interest company has already viewed the property - and been told there's lots of interest
Last updated 20th Jan 2026
Campaigners are trying to stop Cockington’s visitor centre being sold off - potentially for housing - saying they helped fundraise to build it.
It’s up for sale after the collapse of the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, which oversaw the historic village, with the council now stepping in to take over some aspects of the trust’s work.
Kirk Petrakis owns the locally-based ‘Patrick the therapy pony‘ community interest company, and said: “People are angry because they fundraised for the visitor centre thinking it will stay in the community.
“Everybody thought that even if Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust folded that it would stay in the community.”
He says the CIC, which sees therapy pony Patrick going into hospitals and schools to offer mental health support, does not currently have the £80,000 funds to make the starting bid. Kirk hopes Patrick’s worldwide popularity will help the village fundraise - and potentially put off other buyers who he says ‘won’t want to deprive a community of an asset’.
Mr Petrakis added: “People come here to Cockington to take pictures of the thatched cottages, it’s got beautiful walks and it’s a special and unique place.
“We do tour walks with Patrick around Cockington. We’ve had people from America, Bangladesh, China, Japan come and see Patrick.”
Mr Petrakis hopes to use the now empty visitor centre as a community hub which would also include a place to meet Patrick and support the animal’s therapy work. Previously Kirk and wife Hannah ran K&H carriages in the village - which offered tours and helped preserve the tradition of horses in the historic and protected village.
Some campaigners have suggested that if Torbay Council is the main group owed money by the trust then some form of ‘community deal’ could be achievable in terms of the visitor centre building.
What has Torbay Council said?
A Torbay Council spokesperson said: “Although we have resumed responsibility for the land and property owned by the council and previously leased to the Trust in December, the visitor centre was acquired separately by the Trust and was therefore not transferred to the council.
"Responsibility for the centre remains with appointed liquidators, PKF Francis Clark, who are selling it as part of the liquidation process.
“We understand that many residents have concerns about the centre’s future, however, our position as a creditor does not grant us any significant influence over this process.
Any decisions regarding the assets not owned by the council, remain outside of our control and there is no formal way that we can control what happens to these.”
Is it realistic for Patrick's CIC to buy the visitor centre?
In the latest post online, the CIC say they viewed the centre and are one of 12 viewings so far. It was told an offer for £80,000 has already been rejected and the sale will be going to auction.
The CIC says if successful, it will:
- Keep the building as a Visitor Centre, protecting this community asset for residents and tourists
- Create a community and wellbeing hub, offering a safe and supportive space for local people
- Operate a small gift shop to contribute to running costs (electricity, water, business rates, etc.)
- Enable Patrick the Pony — a licensed therapy pony — to attend wellbeing sessions and community groups where appropriate
- Work in partnership with local community organisations to ensure the space is used well and benefits as many people as possible