Packed year of events for Plymouth

Summer sessions are highlight in cultural programme

Plymouth’s new summer sessions, bringing rock and pop legends Blondie, Sting and Bryan Adams among others to the Hoe over four days in June is to be one of the highlights in a programme of 150 days of outdoor entertainment in the city this year.

Other events include the half marathon in April, Armed Forces Day in June, a ‘rehabilitation triathlon’ plus the return of the British Fireworks Championships in August.

Deputy leader of the city council and cabinet member for culture Cllr Jemima Laing (Lab, Stoke) said a thriving events programme had been put together to create opportunities for people to come together.

The council is planning another bonfire night event after a successful return last year. Costs of the free event were offset through sponsorship and commercial income.

With partners Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and the Plymouth City Centre Company, the council will put on Pirates Weekend and Flavour Fest’s 20th anniversary event in May, the West End Carnival in August, Seafest in September and the Christmas markets and Christmas lights switch on events.

Deputy leader of the city council and cabinet member for culture Cllr Jemima Laing (Lab, Stoke) said the council would also support other events such as Pride, the Big Tribute Festival, as well as Oktoberfest, circuses and community fun days.

“What with concerts, events at The Box museum and art gallery, Theatre Royal, universities, Plymouth Culture and the National Marine Park, there is pretty much something going on every single day,” she told cabinet members this week.

She continued: “We know that thriving events programme can be transformative in so many ways. Events improve perception of our place and generate local pride and deliver high levels of economic impact by driving visitors and footfall which translates to spend for our business and assists with the city’s economic growth.”

The Live Nation/ city council summer sessions collaboration in June, which is expected to welcome 15,000 people, will also feature Madness, the Lightning Seeds, Tom Jones and Gabrielle.

Cllr Laing said that The Box had been busy at Christmas and  benefited from coverage in the  press for the quality of its exhibitions over the past few months.

On top of this, two of Plymouth’s cultural leaders had been mentioned in the top 100 most influential people in the arts;Theatre Royal chief executive James Mackenzie-Blackman was in the annual list compiled by Stage newspaper for his contribution to UK theatre, and Victoria Pomery, chief executive of The Box, was named in the Alt Power 100 Artlyst.

“I think this goes to show how Plymouth culture’s reputation continues to grow and I think it’s brilliant,” said Cllr Laing.