A pair of "eyesore" buildings in Plymouth city centre are being demolished to pave the way for a new "cultural cluster". The former Plymouth Social Club and museum annex buildings at Tavistock Place are being razed by demolition experts, who were paid over £200,000 for the job.
Plymouth City Council was granted £353,250 of levelling-up funds in 2023 to demolish the buildings, which it labelled as "eyesores", and make room for an expanded cultural quarter near The Box. Work is currently in progress, with specialists from Devon's Gilpin Demolition on site.
Chapel Street, located behind the site, will remain closed until April 11 to ensure the safe execution of the demolition. While Plymouth City Council has not yet disclosed plans for the site, Plymouth Culture's new Creative Industries Plan identifies the area surrounding The Box, Arts University Plymouth and the University of Plymouth as a "culture cluster", aimed at attracting and retaining talented individuals and businesses.
The former museum annex was situated in a building that served as a school in the 19th Century. It had become "surplus to requirements" since the opening of the £50m The Box museum and art gallery five years ago.
The council, which owns the land, granted itself permission, in its capacity as the planning authority, to demolish the museum annexe and adjoining social club and store. Plymouth Social Club shut down in March 2017 after the council repurchased a portion of the ownership from the social club, reports .
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