New shopping centre branded ‘nail in the coffin’ for city centre

Excitement is building in Plymouth as the highly anticipated multi-million-pound shopping centre at Derriford prepares to open its doors. The development boasts an impressive lineup of big-name retailers, including Aldi, M&S Food, and Costa, generating a wave of excitement among shoppers.

However, the new shopping centre has also sparked concerns within our readers, with some expressing worries about its potential impact on Plymouth city centre.

Work started on the council-owned site in June 2023 and this week the first part will be complete, ready for a fit-out by supermarket giant Aldi. It will transform the former Seaton Barracks Parade Ground on the A386, which has been unused for more 20 years.

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Other outlets confirmed are M&S Food, Costa, Pets Corner, PureGym, Oggy Oggy Pasty Company and there will be 12 EV charging points.

One concerned reader, Eastparky, commented: “Yet another nail in the already ailing Plymouth city centre.” While Puffdaddy1 added: “Well it needs to be looked at in an entirely different way, times are changing.”

Avian said: “Looking forward to the M and S. reassuringly expensive and top quality.” While Plymtondave commented: “At least the development is preferable to more housing to add to the sewage problems that never get a look in.”

Lou-lou replied: “I’d rather see people housed than living in squalor or families in one room, affordable homes for NHS and people working at the hospital would be far better than another branch of expensive shops!”

Puffdaddy1 said: “I’d rather see all the green space not being built on.” Happydaysisay joined in with: “It’s the same type of shops spread around the city. Coffee/pasties and I have no idea why another pet store but it must please some.”

Urban Mischief asked: “Why not build a decent shopping mall on the site of the never ever reopened airport or something similar to Cribbs Causeway?”

Ppsr added: “More soulless car-centric retail units. I can’t get excited about this news but I am sure the petrolheads will love it.”

Julieles1 said: “I love oggy oggy pasties.” And MCollings said: “Plymouth city centre needs urgent shop investment……Plymouth is sadly a dump.”

Plainolme said: “It’s too poor. Investment requires money, not another pound world. “Money” retail is not going to open up somewhere where the most common annual salary is worked out by the number of illegitimate children a person has.

“Plymouth needs to embrace the fact it’s a poor city and welcome big spenders which will in turn bring about higher paid jobs, even retail in higher end shops will pay more than a shelf stacker in pound world.”

Tamarsaint warned: “There will be no NEW jobs created here, the roles will merely be displaced jobs from businesses elsewhere in the city who will see their takings reduced. The pot is only so big. Most casualties will be from the city centre.

“Our politicians need to realise this simple fact when granting consent for these needless sheds. 30+ years ago our city was our retail centre but bit by bit after sites like Transit way, Marsh Mills and now this …..all has been lost in the heart of our city. Marks and Spencer may be opening this unit but how long before it will be an excuse to shut the Drakes Circus store?”

Billwizz said: “It would have been a wise business decision to establish an ‘Oggy Oggy’ pasty drive-through. There are numerous options available in the realm of fast food. Nevertheless, there are occasions when one simply desires a quick pasty.”

OverTheRiver replied: “Absolutely spot on! Drive-thru Oggie takeaway! Munch away whilst driving. Pasty in one hand, steering wheel in the other, and hands-free when changing gear, straight through the latest fangled AI traffic cameras that are smart in catching such things!”

So do you think that the new shopping centre will be a lifeline for Plymouth City Centre? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.