City of Culture bid sparks debate in pop-up shop

Shoppers will be able to rest their weary feet and share their views on Plymouth’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2017 at a pop up shop in Drake Circus mall. The bid is hijacking the Plymouth Plan sofa which is currently on tour as part of a consultation on the future of the city.

The sofa will take pride of place in the City of Culture 2017 bid pop up shop on Thursday 4 April. Shoppers will be given the chance to put their feet up and speak to arts and culture groups about the bid and tell them what they would like to see happening in Plymouth in 2017.

Council Leader, Councillor Tudor Evans said: “Hundreds of people are already talking about the bid especially on Twitter and it’s great that we’ve got that conversation going. Now we want to make sure people who are out and about in the city have the chance to not only find out more about the bid but also to have their say on arts and culture in Plymouth and what they think being City of Culture 2017 would mean. The pop up shop will be in Drake Circus so people can just drop by while they’re out shopping.”

The pop up shop will take over a unit on the first floor, the Upper Mall near the escalators. The sofa will be in action from 9am to 7pm.

Adrian Vinken OBE, Theatre Royal and Pavilions Chief Executive and Chair of the Plymouth Culture Board added: “Consulting with people is a really important part of putting the City of Culture bid together. Their views and ideas will help shape the bid and demonstrate to the judges that the whole city is backing the bid. We’re making really good progress, we now need to keep the momentum going!”

Professor David Coslett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, said: “Engaging the people of Plymouth in this bid is vital because everyone in the city stands to benefit if we are chosen as the UK City of Culture 2017. It would generate a range of opportunities for the city, providing a boost for Plymouth’s businesses and potentially creating hundreds of new jobs for local residents. Arts and culture are on the rise in Plymouth, and local people can help us take the next step in putting the city on the global cultural map.”

Greg Lumley, Centre Director at Drake Circus, said: “Drake Circus is securely behind the bid. We are pleased that the City of Culture bid team will be joining us and giving our customers the opportunity to find out more and to have their say.”

The bid is being compiled by the Plymouth Culture Board in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Plymouth University.