Plymouth divided as demolished pub site gets bold makeover

PlymouthLive readers have been at odds over the news that the site of the former Good Companions pub in Plymouth, earmarked for a towering skyscraper, has been given a temporary facelift by local artists.

Back in October 2022, PlymouthLive revealed the site, which has been vacant since the pub's demolition in 2017, was up for sale with the potential to be transformed into a 17-storey student accommodation block complete with shops and restaurants.

The Mayflower Street plot, previously under the leasehold of Burrington Estates, was marketed by Savills, boasting planning permission for a high-rise featuring 267 student rooms, alongside retail, leisure, and office spaces.

Yet, despite these grand plans, no construction has commenced, leaving the area looking increasingly desolate and unsightly.

That is until a group of artists stepped in to enhance the hoardings around the site, making them more visually attractive. Mike Vosper from Plymouth Artists Together (PAT) commented: "PAT is happy to work with the council to bring neglected spaces to life, but we're also keen to hear from any builders, developers, property owners who have a sorry-looking space available. Artists are happy to turn a blank canvas into public art for everyone to enjoy."

Commenter Argyleman999 says: “Nothing like a bit of man-hating graffiti to cheer the place up.”

Littlmisperfect says: “Fantastic piece of art. If you don't like the message; you're part of the problem.”

Whatsyourproblem replies: “Nothing man-hating about it, just aimed at specific types of 'men' (or 'women' for that matter, as it doesn't actually make a distinction). The shadowy figure is anyone whose attitude needs to change towards women. That's the message I see projected.”

AJGreen thinks: “It’s just graffiti. It really shouldn't be encouraged.”

Wisechimps asks: “How about a really worthwhile piece showing ‘clean up our city’, stop the drugs and youths causing chaos in the city and clamp down on cyclists making them follow the rules of the road?”

M785 thinks: “it’s always ‘all in progress’, big ideas and plans, but no money. How about finishing the city centre?!

Oneofmany agrees: “Each empty large building site is a promise made never fulfilled. Plymouth looks like a scrap yard of broken promises.”

AJGreen replies: “Each empty large building is an opportunity for someone.

"The economy will grow and things will improve, unless we get another setback like the pandemic. Here's hoping we have a long period of stability and growth.”

Hollis King thinks: “Beautiful art and an important message.”

Diane Gray agrees: “Could do with this brilliant artwork on the Debenhams building which is a major eyesore, like they’ve done in Exeter.”

What do you think of the new artwork? What would you like to see built on this site? Have your say in our comments section.