One of Plymouth oldest shopping precincts is getting an exciting makeover.
Mutley Plain, is once again re-establishing itself as a thriving independent quarter, with numerous new businesses basing themselves along this busy road.
An extensive cleaning programme has already commenced and the VIP treatment will include a full power wash of the pavements on both sides of the road from the Hyde Park pub, right up to North Hill. There will also be new bins, complete with recycling facilities.
New seating will also be installed and the historic benches outside the Swarthmore Adult Education Centre will be temporarily removed, refurbished and then reinstalled.
Meanwhile, over the course of two weeks, all of the street lighting will be improved with fairy-lighting hung between lamp posts to brighten up the night time atmosphere. Lamp post-mounted flags will also give the Plain a little more colour.
New welcome signs will also be installed at either end of the Plain.
Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "We know that local district shopping centres such as Mutley are really important to residents, local businesses and entrepreneurs looking to set up new ventures which is why we are committed to delivering important improvements like this.
"Mutley is doing so well at the moment with fantastic new, locally-owned businesses really flourishing so a little spring clean, with improved lighting and street furnishings is the very least we can do to support them."
The Mutley Plain makeover is being paid for by the EU Welcome Back fund, a pot of money available to encourage people back to their local high street following the pandemic.
South West Highways began work on the scheme on Monday 28 February and will be complete within the next few weeks. There will be evening lane closures on Mutley Plain, between 6pm and midnight until 11 March, to allow for work to the street lighting.