Frankfort Gate to get flowered up with funky new look
Plymouth’s West End is getting a splash of colour and is set to become a place to stay and play as part of a package of improvement works.
Frankfort Gate will be transformed into a family friendly space, creating an attractive gateway into the West End and Plymouth Market and provide more space for events. Work will include:
- Providing a colourful soft play surface for children
- Refurbished and colourful seating
- New planting within raised tree surrounds to give a splash of colour
- New street lighting, new power points for events and feature ornamental lighting both within and around the new tree surrounds
- Planting and other environmental works will also take place in Market Avenue and Cornwall Street.
The work is a joint project by Plymouth City Council and the City Centre Company and is designed to create a more vibrant feel to an area that is already seeing more people sit out and enjoy the cafes that are now open there.
Last year the City Centre Company created the West End Plymouth brand to give the area its own identity. Benches and planters have already been given a bit of TLC with the bright branding and the location now has its own website www.westendplymouth.co.uk and social media channels to help businesses shout about what’s going on there and to encourage even more people to visit.
Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “We started this project last year and the branding is now clearly visible across the West End and there is a real sense of togetherness from the businesses and the community. This new work will be a huge boost for local businesses. It will create a space that people want to visit and spend time in and will give us the opportunity to put on more events.”
City Centre champion Councillor Mark Lowry said: “It’s going to be brighter, better and good for business and we are keen to support traders wherever possible. Having outside space is going to be crucial for cafés and making this space more welcoming is all going to help.”
The contractors will be on site from Monday and the whole project is expected to last seven weeks.