Frankfort Gate is looking a lot brighter and better these days!
We’ve brought colour and light to the West End and we’re now putting the finishing touches in for when lockdown eases. Its new feel has already drawn more interest to this part of the city centre with a number of new businesses opening in the West End during lockdown.
They include Rise Bakery in Frankfort Gate, a new concept from Rick Stein-trained Lloyd Inwood and Daamn (correct!) Good Bakes in New George Street, offering a selection of cakes, cookies and other sweet treats.
Soul Food Vendor is also expanding from its location in Plymouth Market with a bigger, new-look restaurant in Mayflower Avenue, serving Jamaican food, rum and cocktails.
What’s now in the West End:
- A fab blue hue - LED strip lighting around the trees
- Bigger beds for the trees to spread their roots
- A colourful soft play surface for children
- Refurbished and colourful seating
- New street lighting and power points for events
- New planting will be going in around the beds
- Much more space!
What’s gone
- The old footbridge - the bridge and the rather large ramps have gone creating much more space
- The old crossing - there’s now a new crossing across Western Approach with routes to the car park and Stonehouse
Planting and other environmental works have also been carried out in Market Avenue and Cornwall Street. The West End work is a joint project by Plymouth City Council and the City Centre Company and is designed to create a more vibrant feel to encourage more people to sit out and enjoy the cafes - when the time is right...
Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “We can’t wait to show off the new look West End to shoppers and visitors when they return after lockdown.
“The new space in Frankfort Gate is the perfect place for families and friends to gather and enjoy a coffee or bite to eat. It will also provide a new events space for outdoor entertainment and will be good news for businesses in and around Plymouth Market.”
City Centre champion Councillor Mark Lowry said: “Roll on the easing of lockdown. I can’t wait to see people enjoy being in this spot. Instead of a dreary metal bridge, we’ve created space which is great for people to eat and drink. For anyone who has not been down there recently, you really need to go. There’s some exceptional food and amazing coffee is being served up and I can’t think of a nicer way of supporting local businesses after the lock down.”
The work has been progressing steadily over the last year with contractors taking into account COVID-19 safe working practices. An entire footbridge was demolished and taken away over three days last September before a new crossing built.
The scheme also ties in with a major improvement programme to commercial and residential properties in Frankfort Gate which are owned by Plymouth Community Homes. The work included new, colourful gable ends in Frankfort Gate and improvements to the upstairs flats, including the introduction of colourful panels to tie in with the West End brand.