New-look West End is now open
VINTAGE cars cruised down New George Street to celebrate the revitalised West End's £3million new look.
The regeneration, one of the biggest developments in Plymouth city centre in years, has been officially opened.
The eight-month, £3.2million project has transformed the West End with landscaping improvements, granite paving and 70 new trees.
A bustling space, reminiscent of Continental squares, has been created in New George Street, Market Avenue and Cornwall Street, with more space for outdoor markets and street cafes, and 90 new on- and off-street parking spaces.
New George Street has been opened up to traffic for the first time since it was pedestrianised 20 years ago, and vintage cars ranging from the 1920s to the Sixties from Devon Vintage Car Club, including a Daimler 1964 SP250, Austin 12/4 and Morris 1000, drove down the street in celebration.
The aim is to make the area more attractive for residents and shoppers, boost business and support the 200 Independent Quarter traders based in and around the City Market, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.
The ribbon was cut by council leader Cllr Vivien Pengelly, along with Ray Robins, chairman of the Market Traders' Association, Cllr Ted Fry, Cabinet member for planning, strategic housing and economic development, and Duncan Currall, chairman of the Plymouth City Centre Company.
Mr Robins, who owns Express Goldsmiths, said the regeneration was a boost to independent retailers. "For the council to deliver this scheme in these times of financial restraint is a big pat on the back," he said. "Retailing at the moment is very difficult; the regeneration gives us an incentive to carry on through these hard times.
"We've got a future and we're hoping for big things."
Cllr Pengelly added: "It's been absolutely fantastic to be here to see all the hard work come to fruition. We're delighted we have been able to deliver this super new shopping area for the West End. Traders and shoppers are delighted and the council's really pleased."
Mike Thompson, service director for construction firm Amey, which carried out the works, said the company was celebrating the first anniversary of its partnership with the council. "It's the largest project we've delivered since the partnership started," he said. "It's the right sort of concept – innovative and getting the balance right."
The regeneration is the first stage in a vision for the transformation of the West End. In 2007 the Plymouth City Centre Company, through the Plymouth Business Improvement District (BID) initiative, unveiled a 20-year plan for the area as a shopping, residential, leisure, cultural and theatre district.
The West End Carnival and Lantern Parade on Thursday will see the Christmas lights switched on and a performance by Britain's Got Talent dance duo Stavros Flatley. There will be live acts in Frankfort Gate from 4pm, with the lantern parade from 6pm. Visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/ christmascarnival
47 Comments
View all
by johnno, plymouth
Thursday, December 03 2009, 12:26AM
“WILLIAM PLYMOUTH when ever did I say I was a supporter of tudor evans , get brain in gear before opening mouth please”
by Mick, Barbican
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:55PM
“Quote- "Most places have a decent bus station, Plymouth has Royal Parade and Bretonside"
Am i the only one who likes Bretonside? It's bright and breezy, not like some stinking tin sheds I can think of”
by Nick, Stonehouse
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:17PM
“Stavros Flatley very neatly sums it up. Medicrity with tinsel on.”
by Naomi, West Hoe
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 10:16PM
“The new changes just point up the inadequacies of the West End. it is a useless part of town. it is a refuge for failing two bit businesses. it has nothing to offer the community. Whoever planned and executed these expensive cosmetic adjustments has very successfully conned the council out of badly needed resources by implying that it would create any improvement and the councillors who authorised this dated sham and hopeless scheme are even more to blame.”
by James, Plymouth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 8:40PM
“I too have ridden a motorcycle over the cobblestones and feared for my life as the rear wheel started to slide. Because of the parked cars and no road markings a head on collision is sure to happen. Who is responsible for the road design of this area ??? Incompetence, in this era of health and safety !!!”
by Alan, Plymouth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 7:53PM
“Where nearly every other town and city has created pedestrian areas, Plymouth is getting rid of theirs. Everywhere else has got rid of cobbles, Plymouth is putting them in. Other places build pedestrian underpasses, Plymouth fills theirs in. Most places have pavements and kerbs so that everyone knows where the road is, Plymouth gets rid of theirs. Most places have a decent bus station, Plymouth has Royal Parade and Bretonside. Anyone want to add to this list????”
by Dave, Plymouth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 6:34PM
“I went into the city centre for the first time in months last week,very rarely bother as it's not pleasant and the place is run down and tacky.The new surface is horrible to walk on and as a biker I certainly won't be riding my bike there,wet cobbles aren't the best road surface on two wheels.The Mall has sucked the life out of the rest of the city and empty shops,charity shops and pound shops really aren't going to pull in the crowds.I shop almost exclusively on-line now or I go to Tesco in Lee Mill,just as quick to get to as any of the city stores from my place and a whole lot less stressful.”
by Martyn, Plymouth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 6:20PM
“get rid of the pannier market which is the worst bit with dreadful stalls and no sense of bustle or quality foods or anything. its been suggested before that it could be gutted and the interior turned into an excellent entertainment venue. excellent idea. And why not follow the other suggestion and build a stylish modern fish meat produce chess etc market in Armada Way and interlace it with bars and caffs so that the best of west country farming and cooking could be brought together in a competitive and value centre?”
by Nicky, NRW
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 5:51PM
“It is awful down there and the tarting up just emphasises that there are no shops or items anyone could possibly want to buy.”
by Jenny, Plymouth
Wednesday, December 02 2009, 5:36PM
“Johnno Pennycomequick I agree, cant we allow her to use some of the money from her undemocratically selling City Bus to send her back to Australia on a one way ticket.
I agree Tudor Evans was no better, they are supposed to be leaders, They should be sat in their Offices leading or answering correspondence. so let all these photo calls and openings be left to the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, as it always was until this lot of self serving lot got in.
If not get rid of one or the other.
I really hope the people of Plymstock have seen her betrayl by now regrading their swimming pool that never was, and vote this shameful woman out once and for all.
She is looking very tired, time she retired.”