Smeaton's Tower to open on Sundays

Plymouth's iconic Smeaton's Tower is to begin opening on Sundays.

The lighthouse on the Hoe will now open to visitors hoping to enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the tower as well get a glimpse of the life of a lighthouse keeper.

Deputy leader of the Council, Councillor Peter Smith said: "I have to say it never dawned on me that the tower would be anything but open on a Sunday. As soon as I became made aware of this, we took steps to rectify this.

"We have set out our stall as Britain's Ocean City and we need to do away with some of the more old-fashioned views and start sending the signal that we are open for business – and that includes Sundays."

The Sunday openings will run until the end of September – the end of the peak summer season on an eight-week trial basis to see what sort of demand there is.

The new opening hours are in response to a Twitter conversation which was started by BBC Radio Devon's Gordon Sparks or Sparksy on Sunday. By Monday, moves were afoot to ensure that the tower would open.

Councillor Smith added: "We wanted social media to be part of how we communicate with our residents and we have also pledged to be more open and responsive.

"There are often all kinds of complex issues that need to be looked at, such as staffing, costs and priorities. But this one was a no-brainer – it was a travesty that this tower, which is so important to Plymouth and to tourism, was shut on the one day most people have time."

Smeaton's Tower will open on Sunday from 10am until 4pm from now until 29 September.