Plymouth’s Tourist Information Centre is summer ready after refurb

The Tourist Information Centre in Plymouth has been given a refresh ahead of what’s set to be an incredibly busy summer.

Located on the Barbican, close to the Mayflower Steps, the centre has a shop packed full of brilliant Plymouth-themed goods and is the gateway to the popular Mayflower Museum, as well as offering guidance and advice to visitors.

Taking advantage of lockdown closures, the ground floor has been given some much needed TLC to make it much brighter and more inviting.

New digital screens will give businesses opportunities to engage with and advertise to visitors, reducing the use of leaflets and posters which has the added bonus of being more environmentally friendly.

A small seating area has also been added for people waiting for guided walking tours or to see the Elizabethan House, as the centre acts as the front-desk for the recently refurbished attraction which is set to open in July.

The shop, which stocks a huge range of gifts, souvenirs, books and clothing, has been given a complete makeover to make it more appealing, with a brand new layout.

Councillor Mark Deacon, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “We’re expecting this summer to be a very busy one in terms of tourism, with many people across the UK choosing a staycation due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

“With that in mind, it made sense to take advantage of the closures earlier in the year and give the Tourist Information Centre a makeover, to make sure it’s fit for purpose and offers the best possible welcome to Britain’s Ocean City. It also shows our commitment to the tourism industry after an incredibly tough year – we want to do everything we can to help our businesses get back on track, and a great visitor welcome has such an important role to play.”

The centre offers a huge range of services to tourists, including: free accommodation booking; comprehensive information about local attractions, events and transport; free maps and guides; wheelchair hire; and a left luggage facility.

The Tourist Information Centre’s summer opening times are 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.