The new IMAX cinema complex

This recently completed large entertainment complex in the heart of the City Centre, 

stands out from its neighbours with some very distinctive external decorative ideas.

Plans announced to rejuvenate this corner of the city centre.

Plans have been submitted for the redevelopment of the 

empty and decaying, 14 floor, one time Civic Building. (on the left of the picture)

The proposal is based on the usual mixture of apartments, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, gym, nursery, etc.

Like many city centre areas in  towns all around the country, they are dying.

This picture was taken at 10:30 am on Friday; a bright sunny day with no hint of  rain,

but where are the people?

The lords of the dance

This group of Morris Dancers were entertaining the early shoppers in the west end of the city centre, where most of the small, individual, specialist shops are clustered.

Click Here to visit The Plymouth Morris Men website

A small, quiet space in the centre of the city.

Then and Now

 These two photos were taken from roughly the same spot,

but one was taken in March 1941 and the other in March 2019.

Ready for Redevelopment

Virtually all the buildings in the foreground are scheduled for demolition soon,

when a large "Boulevard" is driven through them to link 

the major waterfront, regeneration project in Millbay Docks,to the City Centre.

A city rebuilt in the 1950s

Plymouth was one of the most heavily bombed cities in Britain during World War Two.
The main buildings in the City Centre date from late 40s and early 50s.
It is a little like being in a time warp.
This was the scene yesterday.

But these images record the scene, in the same vicinity, following the German raids in early 1940s.

Hard times on the High Street.

Along with most towns and cities throughout the UK,

Plymouth City Centre has a growing number empty shops, 

as retailers, large and small, can no longer cope with rising costs and falling customer footfall.

Lady in Red

The bitterly cold wind has almost cleared the streets in the city centre.

It's a mystery

This large student accommodation complex suffered some unexpected delays 

during its construction, but since completion many months ago, it is still without a single occupant.

A tiny sliver of green amidst the grey.

Rather grandiosely named for such a modest plot.

Variations on a theme.

 

This is the latest in  a very long list of student accommodation blocks 

to be completed in the city centre.

There is still a little Autumn colour on a rainy day.

Some people love a rainy night. Click Here.

If all the empty shops available for rent

were advertised as attractively as this, many UK town centres would not look so forlorn.

Our "Summer Heatwave" seems to have come to an end.

Suddenly it feels like Autumn 

Morning coffee in the Guildhall Square

Summer arrived suddenly last week

and people were determined to make the most of it, 

because it is not forecast to last for more than a few days.

The Turkish Barber Shop.

I have often wondered why Turkish Barber Shops are springing up all over the UK,

Here is a recent addition to Plymouth's range of tonsorial emporia.

 Check out what Turkish Barbering offers

As you emerge suitably relaxed you might want to sample the Persian Cuisine next door.

A very restricted palette.

Many parts of the City Centre can look very grey on a rainy day.

 

 

Rain on the seats

The cold wind and rain have discouraged shoppers from lingering in the city centre,

which hasn't helped those businesses which are already struggling to make ends meet.