'Cultural quarter' plan for historic area of land

Land outside Devonport Guildhall and next to Devonport Column WILLIAM TELFORD

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

MOVES are underway to turn an historic part of Devonport into a new “cultural quarter” for Plymouth.

Community interest company Real Ideas is transforming the Grade I listed Devonport Guildhall into business space.

It is also planning to install “pods”, which can be used by businesses, on currently vacant land next to the Devonport Column, also Grade I listed.

The idea is to link the Guildhall with the nearby Market Hall, already being used as a base for creative and tech businesses and which houses a £7.6m immersive dome.

Last month, The Herald reported on how small businesses are being moved out of a huge building in Plymouth’s Royal William Yard so it can be turned into houses.

Businesses in the Ocean Studios hub for creative and arts ventures are now being shifted to Devonport Guildhall so that the remainder of the Factory Cooperage block can become residential.

Corinne Ponton, venue animation lead for Real Immersive, part of Real Ideas, said many of the Ocean Studios businesses will be rehomed at the Devonport Guildhall. She said the building and some land around it will be redeveloped to create a thriving business space which links with Market Hall.