Plymouth’s Civic Centre is set for a major transformation with new contractors starting work to create a skills hub for City College Plymouth
Plymouth: Work is finally getting back on track at the Civic Centre. The old building is about to undergo a big transformation. New contractors are stepping in to make sure everything is safe before diving into the real work.
The council bought the Civic Centre back for just a pound last year. They’ve now hired Gwella Contracting Services from Cornwall to kick off the internal work. This is all part of a plan to turn the lower floors into a skills hub for City College Plymouth.
Good news! They’ve secured some funding after the recent budget announcement. This means they can move forward with the next steps of the project.
Things had stalled when the previous contractor went bust last November, leaving a mess behind. But now, the new team will start by ensuring the building is safe for further inspections.
The council has big plans for the Civic Centre. They want to create 144 apartments in the upper floors and a new campus for City College Plymouth on the lower levels. This campus will focus on training for green and marine jobs.
They’re looking to offer around 60 courses, especially in the marine sector, which is becoming a big deal in Plymouth. It’s all about preparing folks for the jobs of the future.
Cllr Mark Lowry, the finance cabinet member, is optimistic. He believes people will be happy to see progress on this iconic building. There’s still a lot to do, but this is a solid step forward.
Last year, Cllr Lowry mentioned that the revamp would include some concrete repairs and updates to the building’s exterior. They’re aiming to finish the skills hub by late 2026 and the apartments by early 2028.
The total cost for this project is around £51 million. The council has already secured about £19 million, including some Levelling Up funding. They’re hoping for more support from the government to cover the rest.
Gwella, which means “best” in Cornish, is a local company specializing in asbestos removal. They’ve been around since 2020 and have a solid track record, making them a great choice for this project.
