Luke has issued a fresh call to the owners of Plymouth’s most iconic disused buildings to “invest or sell”, launching the 2023 edition of his Plymouth Buildings at Risk List today.

Luke’s Buildings at Risk List 2023:

1. The Palace Theatre, Union Street
2. The Royal Fleet Club, Devonport
3. The Pot Black Building/Mechanics Institute, Devonport.
4. Stoke Damerel High School for Girls, Devonport
5. Pounds House, Central Park
6. Great Western Hotel, Union Street
7. The Cooperage, the Barbican.
8. The Civic Centre, Armada Way
9. The Phoenix Tavern, near Union Street
10. The tidal pool, Devil’s Point (a.k.a Firestone Bay)

The list features ten important Plymouth buildings that have fallen into disuse, with many suggested by local residents and councillors after Luke called for suggestions on his social media channels. He says that, unless action is taken, these buildings could be permanently damaged or lost to a fire.

Many of Plymouth’s most historic properties are derelict or otherwise neglected. The Palace Theatre on Union Street – opened in 1898 as a Victorian-era music hall – has been empty for fifteen years and again takes the top spot on Luke’s list.

Four buildings highlighted in Luke’s inaugural Buildings at Risk List, which he published in April last year, are removed from the list as the building owners have begun substantial work to renovate and upgrade the buildings after being featured in the list. These are the Reel Cinema, Raglan Gatehouse, St Simon’s Church in Mount Gould and the exterior detailing of the RBS/Natwest building in the city centre.

Luke plans to republish his Buildings at Risk List on an annual basis until the rest of Plymouth’s historic buildings are brought back to life.

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said:

“Too many iconic buildings in our city have been left to rot. My challenge to their owners is simple: invest in these properties or sell them to someone who will.

 

“Plymouth’s streets are bursting with history and these buildings help to tell our story. Many are over a century old, surviving the Plymouth Blitz and the wrecking ball of past regenerations.

 

“After feedback from local councillors and members of the public, I’m adding the old Stoke Damerel High School building, the Phoenix Tavern and the tidal pool at Devil’s Point. I have also listened to people who are really worried that the plans for the Civic Centre have stalled and want to see this iconic city landmark rejuvenated.

 

“Last year I launched my first ever Buildings at Risk List. After shining a spotlight, I’m delighted that work is now underway to save some of these historic masterpieces. But for far too many, another year has passed without action. As a proud Janner, I will keep campaigning until all of Plymouth’s iconic buildings are brought back to life.”

 

In summer 2021, Luke successfully challenged the Church of Scientology to secure, clean and remove fly-tipping from outside the empty Royal Fleet Club in Devonport that they own. This prompted Luke to collate a list of buildings at risk to challenge the owners who are failing to invest in their buildings.