Editing Great Torrington (section)

== Employment ==

Torrington has long been a factory town. In the nineteenth century it was a centre of the glove making industry. The major employer today is [[Dartington Crystal]], but the shops in the town centre also provide a source of employment. Most of the shops are locally owned; however, there are branches of [[The Co-operative Food]] and [[Lidl]]. Large factories have deserted the town in recent years including the meat factory after a fire, and the milk factory which also caught fire has moved its production elsewhere. Various converted and purpose-built care homes in the town also provide a significant source of employment.

In 2006, Tesco sought to open a {{convert|30000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} store in the town; however, this was opposed by many locals and the planning application was rejected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6180605.stm |title=Tesco town store plans rejected |date=14 December 2006 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>