New boutique opens at Royal William Yard

A NEW women’s clothing boutique opened in Plymouth’s historic Royal William Yard this weekend. Family-run, independent company Pebble is expanding outside Cornwall for the first time and was due to open in the Arcade, in the Brewhouse building, yesterday.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

'Pebble' is in The Arcade, created for small businesses in the Yard's Brewhouse building

Pebble is the second business to join Arcade - a collection of six flexible retail units housed within the Grade I listed building - after it launched this summer.

The new “retail destination”, converted out of a large unit formerly used as a restaurant - but empty since The Club House shut in 2023 - is already home to independent pet business Nala's Pet Co.

Emma Gardiner, head of commercial property at Royal William Yard developer Urban Splash, said: “The fact that Pebble chose the yard for its first location outside Cornwall demonstrates Arcade’s appeal as a destination for established, quality-focused businesses looking to grow.”

Founded in 2022 by Zoe Groom, Pebble has quickly established itself across Cornwall, with successful stores in Looe, Saltash and Falmouth.

The business emerged from a deeply personal journey; Zoe conceived the idea whilst on her first holiday after completing two years of breast cancer treatment, reflecting on what she wanted to achieve professionally and personally.