Positive response so far to transform iconic city centre building

More than £30,000 has so far been raised to help restore an iconic Devon building.

The upstairs of the Millennium will be transformed in later stages of the project
Author: Andrew KayPublished 19th Oct 2021
Last updated 19th Oct 2021

Nudge Community Builders say they've been impressed with support so far as they try to raise £285,000 to transform Plymouth's Millennium Building - which has been in use since 1931

Phase one will see up to eight units created in the downstairs of the building in Union Street, before later phases to restore the upstairs and roof and turn the venue into a grassroots music hub for the city.

Nudge bought the building in partnership with Eat Work Art in September 2020, after it has stood empty for 15 years - saying it was 'too important to our community to be standing empty'.

The Gaumont Palace, as it was known, has been a dance hall, roller disco and nightclub during its history - with many people in the city having different memories depending on their age.

Nudge say the more people support the appeal the more funding they can unlock, with the online appeal continuing until December 6.

So far more than 50 investors have pledged money to support the project.

The manifesto for the project can be found here along with more about Nudge and its plans for the building

The online funding appeal by Nudge says: "We aim to breathe life into the Millennium building once more and further elevate Plymouth’s arts and culture scene on a national scale.

"We will do this by creating an outstanding music and entertainment venue that attracts a vast network of creatives keen to perform, create and make use of the various spaces in inspirational ways.

"We will manage the development of this magnificent building in a way that draws creative talent to the area, creates job opportunities for local people, students and professionals so that we contribute to our local community and the city ambitions."

It adds: "We are aiming to raise £500,000 of community share investment. This will pay back the money we borrowed to buy the building and go towards getting the ground floor into use by next year. We want this to be a good investment - not only do you become part of the journey, you can also get up to 3.6% on your investment."

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