More colour on the way for the West End Plymouth

Plans to brighten up the West End of Plymouth city centre have taken another step forward with a community planting event in Frankfort Gate.

Volunteers joined in, adding dozens of flowering plants to the tree surrounds to provide a colourful spectacle for visitors and shoppers this summer.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company which organised the event, said: “We have been working hard with the council in the last few years to make this important gateway into the city centre and up to Plymouth Market much more welcoming. We have lots of new businesses open in the area and we want people to enjoy the newly created space. The extra plants should provide a lot more colour.”

Expert advice and equipment was provided by YGS Landscapes Ltd and volunteers from local businesses and the community were joined by MP Luke Pollard and his team, who have an office in Frankfort Gate, and representatives from Plymouth Community Homes. Plymouth singer songwriter Jessie Cooper added to the atmosphere by joining in with some of her songs.

Steve Warren Brown, YGS Managing Director, said: “It was lovely to meet all the volunteers and be part of this.”

The Plymouth City Centre Company hopes to use the space for more street entertainment to attract more visitors and customers for local businesses.

It will be the site for the main stage at this year’s West End Carnival on Saturday August 27 with a packed day-long programme of entertainment in the streets around Plymouth Market.