Huge plans in store for Plymouth's new events space

The first major live event is due to take place in the new Old Town Square entertainment space created as part of the £17m Plymouth City Centre upgrade. An 8m high blue Christmas tree will be lit up at 3pm - and there will be live entertainment too.

The Manuka three-piece covers band will play at 3pm too, with some festive favourite tunes. The fun continues with lights being illuminated at Drake Circus Shopping Centre and in the Piazza later in the day.

But Steve Hughes, chief executive of Plymouth City Centre Company, said the Old Town Square event is the first real example of how the new performance space can be used to bring crowds into the city centre. It got off to a grand start in October when The Hot House Combo swing band had the honour of being the first group to play in the new space, which has now received street furniture.

Other bands played during the October half-term week and Mr Hughes said he wants other events to take place in the area and is particularly looking at what can be done next summer. He said: “We are really keen to promote the new space at Old Town Street as a venue for the performing arts, from music to dance and street art.

“We have already done a couple of trials and it has been well received. But this is the first opportunity for the public to see how we can use that space.

“We have said all along that we want to maximise the use of our new, improved public space. This is the first big event we have held there but we have pledged to use it as much as we can. We would like to do much more next summer.”

Work started on the ambitious upgrade of Old Town Street and New George Street three years ago and was supposed to be finished in late 2022. But it was hit with numerous issues and delays and the cost ballooned from an original £7m to approaching £17m, with some businesses continuing to complain about the continuing construction work.

It is now nearing completion and Mr Hughes said: “The whole scheme will be finished in another two weeks.”

The blue Christmas tree has been sponsored by contractor Morgan Sindall, which has carried out the works on Old Town Street and New George Street.

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