MP Shows Support for Plymouth's City Centre Regeneration
Historic England and Plymouth City Council have been showing Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard how recent projects are improving the city centre and celebrating its post-war heritage.
The works have been carried out as part of the £2.5 million High Street Heritage Action Zone.
Historic England is doing great work investing in our city centre, from the Guildhall to the Pearl Assurance building. I'm proud to have worked with them as part of my Plymouth Buildings at Risk campaign.
Thanks to Historic England's support, we have been able to help owners of the Athenaeum restore their building and support landlords to clean up their premises. We're also restoring the Civic Square to its former glory. It's good to have the chance to show off what's been achieved.
Luke was joined on a tour of the High Street Heritage Action Zone by Historic England’s Regional Director, Rebecca Barrett, High Street Heritage Action Zone lead Simon Hickman, and Landscape Architect Jo McAllister. Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, and Anthony Payne, Strategic Director for Place, also attended.
The tour included the Civic Square following the successful completion of two phases of restoration, including the reinstatement of the distinctive bow-tie-shaped paviours – part of the original post-war design – and repairs to the fountain.
The recently cleaned and repaired Pearl Assurance building reveals the stunning character of the Portland stone chosen for the post-war city centre. 16 more buildings with prominent frontages are also being cleaned.
Repairs to the façade of the much-loved Athenaeum are nearing completion, restoring its modern, futuristic look.
The High Street HAZ is about the community, too. Well-attended Heritage Network meetings regularly engage people in conversations about Plymouth’s heritage, and the High Street Sparks grant programme provides up to £2,500 of funding for community projects designed to breathe life back into the city centre.
Plymouth Culture and The Box are also running an inspiring cultural programme alongside the capital works. The latest project is lighting up the Civic Centre with a message about climate action. LED lights spell out words by poet Ben Okri celebrating Plymouth's strong social identity, rooted in kindness and community spirit.
There is more to come, with work to improve the public spaces on Royal Parade and new granite seating walls, granite paving and lighting in New George Street and Old Town Street before the High Street Heritage Action Zone finishes in 2024.
