Man on a mission to bring Plymouth alive at night

Lack of things to do after 7pm

Matt Smith is on a mission to make the centre of Plymouth come alive at night – the city’s second youngest councillor says the lack of things to do after 7pm is really holding the city back.

In fact Plymouth’s first night-time economy champion nearly didn’t move back to his home city a few years ago because he knew Plymouth could not complete with the vibrant nightlife of London and Liverpool.

But that could all change, with 10,000 homes and a new masterplan for Plymouth City Centre on the cards  Plymouth’s night-time economy is being put at the heart of all decision-making and the council’s vision to create a “town within a city” could mean a thriving local pub on every street corner.

Cllr Smith, 27 (Lab, Compton) has been tasked with the role of helping local pubs and hospitality businesses at a difficult time when many are really struggling from rising costs and there’s a continuing cost of living crisis.

Stories of pubs closing are common but Cllr Smith said there were others, sometimes tucked away, that were doing well because they had found a niche. He is keen to talk to each and every one to see what the council can do to help boost business for all.

“There are some really compounding issues for pubs at the moment and fewer people are drinking alcohol,” he said. “A lot of my friends don’t drink.  Why would someone who does not drink go to a pub unless there was something else on offer. That’s what we need to look at.

“I think it’s also really difficult because pubs play a big part in communities, but the city centre does not feel like a community.

“Plymouth is really unusual in that we don’t have many people living in the city centre, other similar sized cities have several flats above each shop full of people and those people need a neighbourhood pub, a ‘local’.”

He said the city would adapt over the next decade creating the community feel that was lacking.

“We need more things in the city centre to do in the evening generally, it’s not just about pubs. Plymouth is completely dead after 7pm apart from people filtering into the theatre and that is really odd.

“The high street needs to adapt as people are likely to go out for experiences now than to just go for a drink. We have some escape rooms and a board game cafe that is very popular in Mayflower Street. In London you can play life-sized monopoly, I’m not saying we need that here, but it’s about fun things to do that don’t just revolve around drinking.”

Another challenge was that people were less likely to go out since covid and would watch the latest films and even theatre productions from home with their supermarket bought drinks and snacks and takeaways.

“People have got too comfortable staying at home all the time, I can’t stand it,” said Cllr Smith. “I like a lazy day sometimes but I need to go out and socialise… and it’s healthy for people too. “

The councillor admits that there is a limited amount that Plymouth City Council can do financially to help those existing businesses who are struggling at the present time and a CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) Fund was very specific and related to development, improvements and diversification.

“There is some money but it’s not a blanket fund that can help businesses who are struggling to pay the bills otherwise everyone would be asking,” he said.

“We hear about business rates and how crippling they are and there are reliefs in place but it is a short term fix. There is a plan now which starts from April which gives pubs 15 per cent off their business rates and freezes them for next two years. It gives a little bit of certainty and there is going to be a review of how business rates are calculated for pubs.”

Although Plymouth City Council is responsible for collecting business rates it does not set the levels – they are set by national government.

As a champion in the council’s cabinet Cllr Smith will be working alongside Cllr Sally Haydon (Lab, St Budeaux) who is  responsibility for licensing and community safety and Cllr Jemima Laing (Lab, Stoke), whose portfolio includes responsibility for culture.

Cllr Smith says Plymouth’s bid to be city of culture in 2029 was another thing that was concentrating the mind on the night-time economy.

With visitor numbers to The Box museum and art gallery and the Theatre Royal booming and a host of other enterprises propelling the city’s cultural offer Cllr Smith said it was a great opportunity to shout about what the city was already doing well.

A big live music fan he is keen to see one or two venues coming on stream which cater for 500-1,000 people.

“It’s something we are lacking at the moment. One of the things that almost put me off moving back to Plymouth a few years ago is that I would not have the live music scene that I have in London, my social life would look different.

“We have the Plymouth Pavilions which is very big and a lot of bands cannot fill arenas that big with the cost of putting on a live show. Venues like The Junction and The Underground are amazing but they are small. I grew up watching my friends bands in The Underground but there is no next step for them and they have to go to places like Falmouth or Totnes to play.

“I go to Bristol a lot to see bands and I am sure they would come here if we had a venue the right size.”

Recently the Guildhall was mentioned as the ideal stepping stone venue by the council’s chief economic development David Draffan. The building is currently undergoing refurbishment.

It once hosted the Queen and Status Quo and was known as a major south west music hub.

“The Guildhall had amazing music back in the day… if it worked before why can’t it work again. Some people say it does not the right acoustic for live music but sound has come on a long way over the years.

“I still think we could do with a 500 capacity venue as well, now whether that is part of the regeneration or someone else does it of their own accord that will be all part of what we will look at to make the night-time economy the best it can be.

“Up until this point the night-time economy has been viewed as something that happens anyway and does not necessarily need that much council support.

“The council maybe saw its role as making sure it was mitigating the  impacts of it, like licensing, noise and all that sort of stuff and not seeing it as a vehicle for growth and to improve the city and create jobs.”

Returning to the subject of pubs, Cllr Smith said The Fortescue at Mutley Plain had to be top of the list of his favourite haunts. The tap room Roam Brewery at Peverell coming in a close second, as it’s the place where he always goes before watching the football on Saturdays. The Lord High Admiral at Stonehouse, a thriving bar with good pizzas, is in his top ten as is Bulletproof Brewery at Millbay, The Dolphin on the Barbican and Kitty O’Hanlon’s Irish bar in the city centre.

A special shout out to the pubs in Stoke where the councillor has just moved to with The Stoke Inn and Blockhouse Inn two of his favourites.

“I can’t list them all, but these are some of the highlights,” he said.