A vibrant UK street surrounded by sea and cobbles is a ‘beating heart’ where community spirit ‘shines’, it’s been described as experiencing the ‘past, present and future all on one special stretch’.
It’s home to traditional pubs, often teeming with drinkers – and it’s lined with independent shops, cafes and restaurants, including Britain’s oldest bakery.
There’s a charming arcade and plenty of seafood as it’s just metres from the sea – and the old street on Plymouth’s Barbican has seen one ‘busiest summers yet’.
But the ‘prime location’ doesn’t come without its drawbacks, as when the weather turns, Southside Street can feel like a ghost town at times, say locals.
Like many seafringed places, passing visitors and tourists bring in much of the trade, although Plymouth has managed to retain its fishing and boat building industries.
Plymouth, known as Britain’s Ocean City, is home to the oldest bakery in the country which is situated on Southside Street – a main road through the Barbican, surrounded by tiny cobbled lanes.
Jacka Bakery is a busy spot with visitors queuing out the door at peak times, people flock to the foodie’s paradise to sample freshly-baked sourdough pastries all cooked on the premises.
The family business is owned and run by Sue Laughton, Paul Laughton, head baker Owen Laughton – and bakery and marketing manager, Carly Laughton.
Carly said: “Southside Street is an institution, steeped in rich history that deserves to be preserved and celebrated.
“At Jacka, we’re reminded of that daily – customers often share stories of being sent here for hot fresh jam doughnuts, or of wedding cakes made in our bakery years ago.
“I’ve had the privilege of meeting members of the Jacka family themselves, some of whom were even born in this very building.
“Although we’re lucky to be in such a prime location, it doesn’t come without its drawbacks, as when the weather turns, Southside Street can feel like a ghost town.
“On top of that, the lack of on-street parking and the high prices of nearby car parks are unfortunately having a real impact on the businesses around us.
“We feel so fortunate to have the most incredible regulars who keep us going, our fantastic wholesale partners, and of course the many passing visitors and tourists who stop by to discover us.”
At certain times of year, Southside Street is invaded by modern-day pirates – and the weekend of September 13 and 14 when a Seafest takes place, you’ll see buccaneers a plenty and hear sea shanties ring out.
Kim Downer is interim CEO at Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, she described Southside Street as being the setting of the city’s historic quarter.
She said it’s always been ‘a great attraction for tourists’, offering a ‘plethora’ of independent and unique shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes, coupled with the oldest working Gin Distillery in the country, ‘producing gin since 1793’.
Kim also described the challenges in the area: “As the Barbican is very much seen as a tourist attraction, trade does dip in the typical off-season months.
“Many are hospitality businesses, which as we know through the national picture; this sector is struggling with NI increases, tax and skill shortages.
“Our SME’s (Small or Medium-sized Enterprises) are having to work hard to manage costs, whilst trying to maintain and grow their business.”
“We continue to support our businesses through driving footfall with our signature events; Pirates Weekend (in May), our upcoming Seafest event on September 13 – 14 which showcases some of our finest talent, including chefs, local bands and entertainers, and activities across our BID area.
“We work with Destination Plymouth and Cruise Plymouth Partnership and Plymouth City Council to promote Plymouth as a fantastic destination to live, work and visit.”
