The Barcode
Entertainment complex in Plymouth, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Barcode is a 106,000-square-foot entertainment complex in the centre of Plymouth, England, and opened on 21 October 2019.[2][3] It is Plymouth's biggest entertainment complex.[4]
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| Coordinates | 50.3708°N 4.1365°W |
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| Address | The Barcode, Drake Circus, Plymouth |
| Opening date | October 2019 |
| Owner | British Land |
| Architect | Corstorphine & Wright |
| Stores and services | 12 |
| Floor area | 106,000 feet (32,000 m) |
| Parking | 420[1] |
| Website | drakecircus |
The building was designed by Warwick-based architects Corstorphine & Wright[5] and built by McLaren Construction Group.[6] It is situated adjacent to Drake Circus Shopping Centre[7][8] on the site of the Bretonside bus station.[9] The complex cost £53 million to build and was originally called Drake Circus Leisure.[10]
The Barcode contains a 12-screen cinema including the UK's third largest IMAX screen,[11] restaurants, and an indoor adventure golf venue.[12] The IMAX screen was the first in Plymouth.[13]
History
In 2014, British Land put plans forward to Plymouth City Council regarding a redevelopment at the site of the 1950s Bretonside bus station, which would be demolished.[14][15] Planning permission was approved by the council in 2015[16] and works began in 2017.[17] The scheme was originally planned to cost £40 million.[18]
The building officially opened on 21 October 2019 with a selection of outlets opening on the day, the rest of the stores opened the following days.[19] The businesses in the complex created 350 jobs.[20]
Hours after the complex opened someone changed its name on Google to "Drake McCircus: The McBarcode"[21]
In 2022, the street above The Barcode's underground parking began leaking water into the car park due to heavy rainfall.[22]
Reception
Locals in Plymouth gave the building the nickname "The Barcode" during construction due to the building's appearance, that led to owner British Land to rename the site to match the name.[23] The Barcode was a finalist in the Structural Steel Design Awards in 2020.[24][25]
The Barcode was initially controversial, with some local residents disliking the new building saying that the complex was unnecessary.[26][27]
Gallery
The old bus station was demolished in 2017
The rear of the complex in 2023
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