Drake Circus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Drake Circus is a shopping centre in the city centre of Plymouth, England. It is a newly built 49,200 m² (530,000 ft²) covered scheme which opened its doors to the public for the first time on 5 October 2006. It includes such retailers as Marks & Spencer, Next, Primark, Waterstone's and Schuh.

The shopping centre's logo
The shopping centre's logo
The old Drake Circus centre was demolished in 2004
The old Drake Circus centre was demolished in 2004

[edit] History

The original Drake Circus shopping centre was home to the world renown silver jewellery shop [1] - a two level centre with open malls constructed in the early 1970s. Initial proposals to redevelop it in the early 1990s failed, but the developers, P&O Estates, tried again in the early part of the 21st century. Plans were drawn up for a much larger centre and having signed up Allders as the first anchor tenant in 2001 and Marks & Spencer in early 2004, work started on demolishing the old centre and the adjoining Charles Cross car park in February 2004. The new building, designed by Chapman Taylor Partnership, has provoked a mixed reception.

The scheme suffered a setback in January 2005 when Allders went into administration, but other tenants, including Zara, Boots the Chemist, Virgin Megastore and H&M continued to commit to the scheme. New anchor tenants to replace Allders were found in summer 2005 in the guise of Next and Primark. The new development was topped out in June 2005 and the scheme opened, 90% let, on 5 October 2006.

A striking backdrop to Charles Church
A striking backdrop to Charles Church
Interior a few days after opening.
Interior a few days after opening.

For a more accurate pictue of the current development http://www.plymouth-england.com/drake-circus.html where you can see that as of spring 2007 the centre is far from complete and is surrounded by bins and purple hoarding.

[edit] Opening hours

  • Monday - Wednesday: 9.00am – 6.00pm
  • Thursday: 9.00am - 8.00pm
  • Friday & Saturday: 9.00am - 6.00pm
  • Sunday: 10.30am - 4.30pm
  • 7th & 9th March, 21st September:9.00am - 6.30pm

[edit] External Links

what it really looks like in April 2007

an accurate non commercial picture of

Official site

BBC Devon special feature on Drake Circus

Plymouth pictures site shows the demolition of the old complex and building of the new one