A partnership with a strong track record of running successful pubs and restaurants in the Westcountry is to take over the Dome on Plymouth’s stunning waterfront
Inns of Cornwall and Devon, run by John Milan and Steve Bellman, have entered into an agreement for the 125-year lease and intend to repurpose and refurbish the two storey building as a restaurant and bar.
They were selected by Plymouth City Council following a bidding process carried out by JLL, independent property consultants.
The partnership has considerable experience in the hospitality industry running award-winning venues, including the nearby Waterfront Pub, which won Gold in the 2019 Devon Tourism Awards ‘Pub of the Year’ and Silver for this year’s award. They also run the Three Crowns in Chagford which has just won Gold in the same category.
Council leader Tudor Evans OBE said: “This is a successful Westcountry partnership which has strong links with the city of Plymouth. They have been part of the Plymouth family of businesses for a number of years and I can’t wait to see what they do with the Dome. It has terrific views and is in amazing location.
“More and more people are enjoying the Waterfront in the evenings, with more bars, cafes and restaurants, which is exactly what we want to see.”
Contracts have now formally been exchanged and behind the scenes the company have been looking at some stunning deco ideas, based on the Art Deco /1930s Ocean Liner theme.
It is hoped that the main bar area could be open for business by July followed by the rest of the building as fast as the refurbishment allows.
John Milan said: “Plymouth’s waterfront is a special location and we want to create something really special in the Dome. We wanted to make the most of some of the existing features as well as the view and think the ocean liner theme will be the perfect fit for Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City and of course, those who want a great night out on the waterfront.”