We are currently looking for a dynamic, sensitive and funded individual or organisation who could give a new and sympathetic lease of life to one of the city’s oldest buildings – the Merchant’s House.
The property, which dates back to the 16th Century, was once a museum but has been closed for almost a decade.
Now the Council is hoping to hear from companies, organisations or individuals who are keen to see this incredible Grade II* building come alive once more.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member responsible for the city’s assets said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly but we need to do something. We have invested millions in the Box and the Elizabethan House, but we currently have no use for this building and no prospect of funding to restore this house.
“We very much hope some thinkers and doers with the finances and the wherewithal to take on a project like this will come forward.
“The house has been closed for almost a decade and is slowly degrading over time. We hope this appeal will generate interest and open up new possibilities for this building.”
Ideas could include a heritage attraction, a tea shop with an historic slant, offices for a business – although the preference would be to enable some form of public access.
While it is not known exactly when the house was built, its first recorded owner was a privateer named William Parker, a friend of Sir Francis Drake. Like Drake he combined a career as a merchant with privateering and civic government. He also served as Mayor of Plymouth from 1601 to 1602.
He served under Drake in 1588 in the fight against the Spanish Armada and carried out raids against the Spanish in the Caribbean. In 1601 he captured a pair of treasure ships laden with 10,000 gold ducats and on his return to Plymouth, was elected Mayor and used the profits from his ventures to remodel an older house on this site into a fashionable timber-framed house.
Parker helped promote the Plymouth Company to colonise North America and took an active interest in the Virginia Colony. He died in 1618 on a voyage to the East Indies. His heirs lived here before it was passed to Abraham Rowe, another successful merchant and in 1651 the house was purchased by Justinian Beard, Mayor of Plymouth on two occasions.
It was occupied by the Beele family until 1707, then by the Martyn family until 1807. In 1807 the building was extended to the rear (towards Finewell Street) and the front used as a shop. In the 1960s it was a taxi office, then restored by the Council and turned into a museum of local heritage, focussing on life in Plymouth over time. Rooms included recreating the Blitz experience and a replica Victorian schoolroom.
The Council is keen to explore all options including a sale or a long commercially viable lease. Interested parties should provide the following when submitting an offer:
- Purchase price/rental offer
- Purchaser details
- Conditions
- Proposed use/development plans
- Finance/evidence of funding
- Track record in restoration of historic buildings
- Timescales
Proposed uses sensitive to the property’s historical significance will be given higher consideration. Interested parties should email Laura Hathaway from the Council’s Land and Property Team at [email protected]