| City
centre revamp is under way |
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Mothercare store was the first to go. These photos were taken
in February 2004 |
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Demolition
work is under way in Plymouth city centre, as part of the £170
million revamp of Drake Circus. The work started in early 2004 and
the new Drake Circus shopping centre should be ready for opening in
autumn 2006. |
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Would you like to record a Video Nation short film for BBC
Devon Online, telling us your views about the rebuilding of
Plymouth?
Do you have memories of the city centre during your childhood?
It would be a short video - filmed by YOU, and edited by us.
If you're interested, email us at devon.online@bbc.co.uk
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Many people thought it would never happen...but the arrival of
the bulldozers has signalled that Plymouth city centre is finally
set to get its long-awaited makeover.
The first shop to be demolished as part of the £170 million
Drake Circus redevelopment was the Mothercare store, which has relocated.
Several other stores in the area have been closed down - and will
all go the same way as Mothercare in the weeks and months ahead.
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| A
street of empty shops...for now |
In their
place, will be a state-of-the-art 60,000 square metre development
featuring 45 shops with cafes and
restaurants.
The aim is to provide Plymouth with a high quality shopping centre
with major stores to put the city on the retail map.
The existing shopping area was designed in the 1970s, and has never
been loved by local people. The revamp was initially supposed to start
in the 1980s - but it never happened.
It's hoped the new shopping centre will be ready to open its doors
in the autumn on 2006.
The company behind the regeneration is P&O Developments. There
are three rivals bidding to carry out the construction work - Bovis
Lend Lease, Laing O'Rourke and Sir Robert McAlpine.
The chosen contractors are set to be announced soon.
We're putting together a photo 'diary' of the revamp so you can see
how the new look Plymouth will take shape.
More photos, taken 24th
March 2004 >>>
More photos, taken 6th
April 2004 >>>
Photos from May
2004
See what
Drake Circus will look like >>>
Have
Your Say >>>
Article
first published: 28th February 2004
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