It is anchored at one end by Marks & Spencer and at the other by Next and Primark. All three are the largest stores in their group west of Bristol.
It is full of modern facilities for shoppers, including 1,270 car parking spaces, lavatories, lifts, disabled access and the latest shopping centre information display screens.
Drake Circus is the result of a 200 million private investment by P&O Estates Limited, Morgan Stanley Bank and Kandahar. It is managed by DTZ which runs over 250 shopping centres throughout Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Drake Circus?
What are the benefits of the new Drake Circus?
When will Drake Circus open?
When did Drake Circus gain detailed planning consent?
Why has the city decided to replace the existing shopping centre and car park?
Why is Drake Circus a covered centre?
Disabled Access
What is the vision for Drake Circus?
How will Drake Circus help with Plymouth’s future as a regional centre?
How many jobs will be created at the new Drake Circus?
Does Plymouth need more retail?
How will Drake Circus help existing retailers in Plymouth?
Will Drake Circus be a threat to existing retailers and draw shoppers away from the rest of the town centre?
What is your reaction to criticisms of the design for Drake Circus?
What have you agreed with Marks and Spencer?
Will the local people currently employed by M&S in Plymouth get to keep their jobs?
When is the new Marks & Spencer store expected to be complete?
How is the allocation of retail space managed?
Do you have a policy on what types of businesses can take space at Drake Circus and do they have to meet certain criteria?
What is the estimated rent on a lease for one of the smallest shop units?
How big is the area being developed at Drake Circus?
Altogether how much concrete, steel and other materials will have been used to construct the new Drake Circus?
Has the material removed from the site been recycled?
How will the completed Drake Circus affect traffic levels in the city centre?
How will transport links and the road layout around the site be affected?
Will pedestrian routes be incorporated?
What effect are the new pedestrian crossings having?
How is Plymouth’s car parking improving with the new scheme?
When will the car park be complete?
How is the new car park better than the old one?
What will the car park look like?
How is the new car park accessed?
How will shoppers access the mall?
What will the payment method be?
Who is developing Drake Circus?
Who are P&O Estates?
Who owns Drake Circus?
How is it funded?
Who is MSREF?
How is the development and construction work managed?
Who are the main contractors on the Drake Circus scheme?
Who are the letting agents for the scheme?
Who are the architects?
What is Drake Circus?
Drake Circus is an exciting new, two level, 60,800 sq m (654,000 sq ft) covered shopping scheme developed by P&O Estates in Plymouth city centre. The scheme comprises around 50 shops, an anchor department store, restaurants, cafes and a multi-storey car park with spaces for 1270 cars
What are the benefits of the new Drake Circus?
Drake Circus will be Plymouth’s first fully covered shopping centre, providing a range of shops and quality of retail destination never seen in the city before. It is expected to provide a massive economic boom for the city; with the increased number of visitors and shoppers in the city benefiting both existing and new retailers. The parking provisions are being enlarged and much improved and public transport access in and around Plymouth is being considerably enhanced, ensuring that these additional visitors are fully catered for.
When will Drake Circus open?
The centre is on schedule for completion and due to be open for business on 5th October 2006.
When did Drake Circus gain detailed planning consent?
In mid-July 2003, formal consent was granted by Plymouth City Council. This followed a period of negotiations and consultation with the City officials and the people of Plymouth to determine public support of the scheme. Public consultation included an exhibition of the proposals in June 2003 which over 1,200 people attended and the resultant survey revealed more than nine out of ten local people wanted the scheme to go ahead.
Why has the city decided to replace the existing shopping centre and car park?
The old Drake Circus centre and Charles Cross car park were designed in the 1970s. The building had suffered from what is known as concrete cancer and was of a design completely unsuited to modern retail requirements.
Why is Drake Circus a covered centre?
Plymouth has one of the highest rainfall levels in the UK which, coupled with strong winds, means that there is an overwhelming preference for a covered centre. The scheme will however be naturally ventilated and comply with the latest thermal regulations ensuring that it is also environmentally friendly.
Disabled Access
What are the arrangements for disabled access at Drake Circus?
The whole of Drake Circus shopping centre has been designed, wherever possible in line with the latest disability access regulations, will be wheel-chair friendly with ample provision of lifts, ramps and specially designated parking spaces for blue badge holders. Enhanced facilities for the ambulant disabled will also be provided. The scheme incorporates facilities for the loan of wheelchairs and powered scooters.
What is the vision for Drake Circus?
Drake Circus is on track to become one of the leading shopping destinations in the South West. It will serve the growing local and regional population and cater for the millions of tourists who visit Plymouth every year.
How will Drake Circus help with Plymouth’s future as a regional centre?
A high quality retail offer is a fundamental ingredient in any successful regional centre. The retail units at Drake Circus have attracted the calibre of retailer that the city currently lacks and will allow those already in the City to expand to their true potential, allowing Plymouth to become the pre-eminent regional centre of the South West.
How many jobs will be created at the new Drake Circus?
During the construction phase Drake Circus generated up to 1,000 jobs, with workforce numbers peaking at 450 at any one time. Up to 2,000 full and part time roles should be created once the shopping centre is open.
Does Plymouth need more retail?
Plymouth has until now had a serious shortage of modern high quality retail facilities of the type and size needed to attract major regional, national and international retailers. The small size of existing units has restricted the growth of retailing in Plymouth.
How will Drake Circus help existing retailers in Plymouth?
Existing retailers will benefit from the additional visitors generated by the scheme and from the enlarged and much improved parking provisions. Access by public transport will be considerably enhanced which will ensure that Plymouth continues to attract more shoppers from its substantial catchment area.
Will Drake Circus be a threat to existing retailers and draw shoppers away from the rest of the town centre?
Some retailers are choosing to relocate their premises to the new Drake Circus scheme as it offers the large, modern units they need. This in turn will give smaller retailers the opportunity to take space in the town centre, in units more suited to their businesses. This shift will be an encouragement to new and up-coming local companies. The mix of retailers at Drake Circus will complement the range of shops in the rest of Plymouth town centre, creating an overall improved shopping experience in Plymouth.
What is your reaction to criticisms of the design for Drake Circus?
Throughout the planning process for Drake Circus, P&O liaised directly with the local community to solicit views on the scheme. Drake Circus is a large and complex scheme and it would be surprising if we managed to satisfy all parties concerns on every aspect of the design. The results of the public consultation process in June 2003 showed overwhelming support from the people of Plymouth - more than nine out of ten local people were in favour of the scheme.
What have you agreed with Marks and Spencer?
Marks & Spencer is the major anchor store at the western end of Drake Circus. The new Marks & Spencer store at Drake Circus will provide 80,000 sq ft of retail space - almost twice as large as the existing Plymouth store. The store has been extended and completely revamped with a contemporary new look, providing customers with an improved retail experience and extended facilities. The new store will also have bridge links to the car park and mall area of the new Drake Circus development.
Will the local people currently employed by M&S in Plymouth get to keep their jobs?
The revamped and extended store will swell the store’s workforce from 190 to 340 full and part-time employees.
When is the new Marks & Spencer store expected to be complete?
Work on the new store should be completed by September 2006.
How is the allocation of retail space managed?
P&O Estates, in conjunction with the appointed retail letting agents is working to a strategic marketing programme for Drake Circus. The strategy involves securing anchor stores and major shop units, before shifting focus to the letting of the smaller shop units. This approach ensures that the team can set the tone of the shopping experience and provide appropriate ‘grouping’ and spread of retail brands within the scheme.
Do you have a policy on what types of businesses can take space at Drake Circus and do they have to meet certain criteria?
It is important to encourage a diverse mix of fashion, leisure, lifestyle and entertainment brands, so that Drake Circus will have something for everyone. The retailers that have taken the larger units are all established high-street names but shops have also been let to local and regional retailers.
What is the estimated rent on a lease for one of the smallest shop units?
Each retail tenancy is different in terms of the space available and the annual costs. For enquiries about letting a unit, please contact the appointed retail agents.
Hartnell Taylor Cook 01752 671 167
Lunson Mitchenall 020 7478 4950
The site is 6.52 acres and the shopping centre provides 654,000 sq ft of total floor space.
Altogether how much concrete, steel and other materials will have been used to construct the new Drake Circus?
20,000 Cubic metres of concrete (this equates to 3,300 lorry loads)
51,950 Tonnes of reinforcing steel
250 Piles
600 Pre Cast Concrete Columns
3,000 Pre Cast Concrete Planks
Peak workforce at height of activity 450 rising to 500 during the fit out period
Has the material removed from the site been recycled?
Out of all of the materials removed from site, 95-98% is being recycled. A stock pile of 40,000 tonnes of concrete was removed to quarry outside Plymouth, crushed and reused in the new construction.
How will the completed Drake Circus affect traffic levels in the city centre?
A major scheme like Drake Circus will almost inevitably result in some local increased traffic levels once completed but we envisage little additional impact during peak daily journey times. The Council’s Highways Committee recommended approval of the proposals in March 2003 following extensive consultation.
How will transport links and the road layout around the site be affected?
A new road layout around the site is now in place. The former Drake Circus roundabout has been replaced by a new T-style junction to enable access to the new car park and improve traffic routes. Cornwall Street has been downgraded to provide service and loading access only and has been re-paved, making the street more pedestrian-friendly.
New bus stops have been incorporated on Charles Street to assist members of public arriving by public transport with easy access to the Centre via the entrance to the lower mall on this elevation.
Will pedestrian routes be incorporated?
Six new pedestrian crossings, to the latest design have been introduced replacing outdated subways. Old Town Street in front of the existing Boots and M&S will become a covered street as part of the scheme and this will remain open after the Centre has closed to ensure this important north/south route is preserved.
What effect are the new pedestrian crossings having?
The redevelopment of Drake Circus has provided opportunities for the City Council and P&O to re-look at how pedestrians move around the city centre. The pedestrian crossings replace dark and poorly maintained subways, contributing towards a safer environment and helping to reduce the potential for street crime.
How is Plymouth’s car parking improving with the new scheme?
The new multi-storey car park serving the centre provides almost double the number of spaces offered by the former Charles Cross car park. Designed to the Automobile Association’s Secure Car Park standard, the new car park provides a total of 1270 spaces, 580 more than before, including provision of disabled and mother and baby spaces.
When will the car park be complete?
Parking will open to the public on scheme opening which is on schedule for 5th October 2006. The car parking will be a pay on foot system, see main website for details.
How is the new car park better than the old one?
The new car park has five levels, with the first two levels larger than the upper three. It will have dedicated entry and exit ramps which will keep queue times to a minimum. There will be wider spaces, more headroom and much better levels of lighting. Interior finishes will be painted white with good direction signage for both cars and pedestrians. The car park will be well lit, with high levels of visibility for drivers and those on foot and clear signage that will comply with the 'secure by design' standard promoted by the police authority.
What will the car park look like?
The exterior will be clad in laser cut, aluminium alloy screen with a repeated pattern to give approximately 50% voids, for natural ventilation. The repeat pattern has a similar effect to a William Morris screen print, and will be distinctive both during the day and at night when illuminated from behind.
How is the new car park accessed?
Vehicle access is from Charles Street, via a two-way ramp, and then by separate spiral ramps to the upper levels.
How will shoppers access the mall?
Shopper’s access to all levels of the malls is via a triple lift and stair core, and there is an additional lift and stair core which connects to Marks and Spencer through a link bridge at level 3.
What will the payment method be?
The car park payment system is 'pay on foot' with ticket machines on each car park level near to the access core. A ticket is issued at the entry barrier and payment for parking is made at the end of the visit at one of the pay machines. The validated ticket is then used to exit the car park. Payment machines will accept coins and notes.
Who is developing Drake Circus?
Drake Circus is being developed by P&O Estates on behalf of the owners, Morgan Stanley Real Estate Finance (MSREF).
Who are P&O Estates?
P&O Estates are the property development arm of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), a major international logistics, ports and transport company founded in 1837. The company has important stakes in major property development sites across the UK, a key examples being Regent Quarter at King’s Cross, London Gateway, York Science Park and Elizabeth House Waterloo. For more information, go to;
www.poestates.com.
Who owns Drake Circus?
Drake Circus is owned by Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund (MSREF). P&O has retained an interest in the project and are the Development Managers.
How is it funded?
Since gaining consent to its plans for the redevelopment of Drake Circus in July 2003, P&O secured funding for the £200+ million retail scheme, in line with its corporate policy. At the end of January 2005, Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund (MSREF) acquired the entire Drake Circus scheme, backed by debt finance. P&O retains an minority interest in the project and are retained to manage the asset.
Who is MSREF?
Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund (MSREF) is one of the largest global real estate investment managers with over £15.5 billion ($29 billion) of assets under management. MSREF provides a broad range of advisory, financing and investment services to real estate companies and investors around the world.
Contractors and Project Managements
How is the development and construction work managed?
The P&O team continues to oversee the project on the ground - managing the progress of the shopping centre’s construction, liaising with the local community, directing the marketing of the retail units and ultimately managing the centre on completion. The P&O team continues to be the point of contact for all enquiries concerning Drake Circus.
Who are the main contractors on the Drake Circus scheme?
Bovis Lend Lease are the main contractor for the work on Drake Circus which started on site in July 2004. Bovis Lend Lease worked onsite alongside demolition contractor Davis & Samson.
Who are the letting agents for the scheme?
Hartnell Taylor Cook 01752 671 167
Simon Laslett or Stephen Lobb
Lunson Mitchenall 020 7478 4950
Stuart White or Nick Hatwell
Who are the architects?
P&O Estates commissioned Chapman Taylor, one of the country’s leading firms of retail architects, to design Drake Circus. The practice’s experience includes retail schemes in Bath, Bristol and Exeter.
