| Union street facts: | - Union Street was built in 1815 to link the three towns of Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport.
- It is the longest and straightest street in Plymouth.
- Much of it was designed by London architect John Foulston.
- Until around 1850 it was a relatively affluent part of town.
- Charlie Chaplin appeared at the Palace Theatre in 1931.
- Union Street became known as the 'servicemens' playground. In the 1930s there were 30 pubs on the street.
- There are still around 30 licensed premises today - mostly bars and clubs.
|
Plymouth’s Union Street is perhaps best known as the place Royal Navy ratings would seek entertainment on the run-ashore. Many of the old pubs have gone but people are still drawn to the nightlife there. BBC reporters spent 24 hours on the street to find out what life is like for the people who live, work and play on Union Street. You can watch the films here and then add your views on our Union Street message board. Here's a brief summary of what each of our reporters thought after spending time with the Union Street community. Amy Cole: The area has a somewhat ominous reputation and for many years it's been regarded as Plymouth's trouble spot. But one woman called Rose, who had taken advantage of the new 24-hour opening hours at the Clipper Inn and was only just leaving at six o clock in the morning, said she had come to accept life on the street.
 | | Many of the buildings have seen better days |
"All my life I've lived round here..it's been up and down. I'll go anywhere, all over", she said. Taxi drivers, Daniel Chislett and Mel Stocker both share the job. They say that Union Street has become less hostile. Daniel suggests that it's because "the Forces are away a lot now so that's one part of it, and the University students aren't here. It's a bit quieter than it used to be a couple of years ago". Pensioner Christine Gregory also supported the view that Union's Street's poor image has changed. She said: "You're not frightened to come out of your door now, whereas five years ago at night you would maybe not have come out through the yard just in case. But now you can come and sit out here and smell the flowers and the lavender and it's just a very pleasant place to be." Although most of the people we interviewed were quite fond of the Street, one shop owner, Suzanne Guswell, said trade at her camping and caravan shop had declined over the years. She blames many of the smaller traders closing on High Street competition and being replaced with pubs and clubs. This she believes has led to more trouble and drugs. Janine Jansen: I was asked to film the early shift on Union Street with my colleague Amy Cole. We arrived at 6am. My overall impression of Union Street was that it was fairly run down, with many empty and tatty buildings. It was a shame really - especially when I looked at the former 'Palace Theatre' - that really could be a stunning property. It has so much history attached to it.
 | | The 'New Palace' Theatre |
With regard to the street's infamous reputation, I felt surprisingly safe in the daylight hours that I was there. The 'Clipper' pub is open for 24 hour drinking; I saw people coming out, but I didn't feel threatened in any way. I didn't get the impression of lots of people out drinking all night and then falling out on to the street. At the top end of Union Street where the flats are, there was a real sense of community. As the day progressed, the road became very busy, and increasingly noisy! The road is certainly a distraction and divides the street in more ways than one. The nicest part of all was chatting to the friendly taxi drivers - they were proud to be associated with Union Street and all the history that it represents. One of the best quotes of the day came from the man who runs the tatoo shop. I asked him why he liked Union Street; he replied: "It's my morning, my afternoon and my evening." I asked him if he would ever leave Union Street. You could feel the passion as he spoke. "Never"; he said. John Henderson: A jolly large toy shop, traffic lights, some rather wonky 1970s architecture and pubs. Lots and lots of pubs. A standard perception of Union Street, but is it an accurate one? Possibly. It's not the sort of place many people would want to go on holiday: there are plenty of buildings that've seen better days and what with thousands of boozers it can have an edgy feel. Many people the BBC spoke to love living on or near Union Street. They like its sense of community, history and diversity. Perhaps it won't be long before Union Street gets the Plymouth make over - another opportunity for a road that never stands still. Marcus Wraight I saw Plymouth's most talked about street late at night with my colleague Philip loat. If you go to a nightclub hotspot, it wouldn't be surprising to see lots of people having a good time getting drunk and getting a bit rowdy. But when you are sober, those who get progressively more intoxicated around you, get more and more interesting as the evening wears on. Many businesses there expected trouble. England had just been thrown out of the World Cup and it was a Saturday night. All we saw were a couple of tussles, but people remained in good spirits, obviously determined to enjoy themselves despite the football. But getting under the skin of a place brought things to light that you would just pass you by between pubs if you were out with friends. Elvis fan Gary Richards is well known but just for being a character on Union Street. His car has fairy and disco lights. He wears a stetson, leather baseball jacket and lots of jewellery. His car is covered with Elvis posters - its interior scattered with Elvis bric-a-brac. I hardly expected to see this 71-year-old parked up in clubland watching the world go by at 2am. What an interesting experience!" | 
