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Mayflower to do list ticked off!

Smeaton with scaffolding From massive monumental restorations, epic paint jobs and new trails for visitors, Plymouth’s Mayflower moment is making its mark on the city whatever 2020 has thrown at us.

While the major commemorations have been put back to 2021, it’s the perfect time to give people a reminder of the work that has been going on over the last two years as part of the city’s push to make the most of its incredible history.

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “While Covid-19 has changed the timescales, it has not changed what we are doing. We’ve had an incredible couple of weeks in spite of Covid: The Box opening, Look II being unveiled, the Mayflower autonomous vessel launch.

“But we’ve also done lots of other work to get to this point. And this work is not just about visitors, it is about helping families here enjoy our fabulous city and learn more about its amazing history.”

The big stuff:

  • Mayflower Trail - the digital trails app was launched to allow residents and visitors follow the Mayflower trail - a series of bronze totems around the Barbican packed with facts about its buildings and the people who helped shape the city in 1620.  The Mayflower trail is one of three core trails on the app with the City Centre trail exploring post-war architecture and the Plymouth Hoe Trail delving into the city’s maritime history.     
  • Mayflower trail totem in front of Mayflower monument Repainting Smeaton’s Tower - the grade 1 listed landmark received a new coat in its traditional red and white colours, using special paint and protective treatment.
  • Look II - the Council commissioned a sculpture to go on West Hoe Pier by internationally-acclaimed artist Anthony Gormley as part of The Box permanent art collection.
  • West Pier, the Mayflower Steps and portico - the sensitive restoration of the historic Mayflower Steps and portico has smartened up this key location. The portico was badly eroded due to Plymouth’s salty air and wind. Cobbles were also re-layed on the pier - and disabled access to loos completed. New street furniture and bins have been installed as well as new flags flying
  • Elizabethan House - the historic house is being sensitively restored.  An extension has been added to the rear to provide extra space and support the deteriorated back wall.  The conservation work will finish in the Autumn ready for the fit out of interpretation and visitor experience.
  • Prysten House - a new public square to show off the 15th Century building is finished. 1970s paving was replaced with granite paving and an Elizabethan Garden pattern marked out with cobbles. New trees were planted, new street furniture installed and the stunning building is going to be lit up.

As well as the historic restoration projects, the to-do list included the not so glamorous but equally important essentials. This included:      

  • Over 100 giant outdoor bins installed in and around the city centre and the waterfront including more for recycling bins
  • 13 new signs up on the A38 to encourage people into Britain’s Ocean City and making sure the city’s key attractions such as the Box and Barcode and Barbican are easy to find Signs on A38
  • Updated 19 tourist monoliths in the city centre and waterfront
  • Four fingerposts to replace old ones that had previously been removed and 74 new/replacement arms to pint people in the right direction
  • 10,464 square metres of road resurfacing was carried out around the city centre and the waterfront during 2019-2020
  • 4,590 square metres of cobble repairs and repointing completed around the Barbican
  • Revamping the entrance to Southside Street with a stunning mural depicting the Mayflower as well as smartening up the pavement areas 
  • New toilets now built and open at West Hoe park and more are planned for the Hoe - demolition has already started