Inside Union Street’s The Plot & Clipper

-

Nudge Community Builders was set up in 2017 by local people living in Stonehouse, Plymouth. Nudge had been volunteering in the community for over 10 years, and kick started the Union Street Party, created Union Corner and were inspired and asked by the community to do more.

Their vision is to make Union Street a street the whole world loves; and their mission is to nudge lasting change in surprising and enterprising ways to build a strong local community and economy.

Nudge run three buildings along Union Street that had been standing empty until they had a little nudge – come and say hello and support your local community businesses. Here’s a peek into The Plot and The Clipper:

 

The Plot

An alternative shopping arcade

The Plot is an alternative shopping arcade inspired by allotments; brought to the community by Nudge Community Builders. Each space within the Plot is rented on a “patch by patch” basis to local businesses and individuals wanting to grow a great idea.

Patches in The Plot are homes to businesses serving the most delicious international food and great coffee from Plymouth Jollof Kitchen and We Are Jabulani. The Plot is also home to Plymouth’s first independent CBD retail shop, The Buddha Hut, which also includes coffee and smoothies infused with CBD oil.

Other Community Interest Companies (CIC) including Mountain Bike Collective; using mountain bikes to improve outcomes for the people of Plymouth, Plymouth Energy Community a charity and social enterprise looking for a better future for the community and planet, The Loveshack with Tom and Miniski who sell handmade clothing and artwork, Mary Toon with beautiful felt artwork at The Sheep Shed, The Care Nest that offers wellness sessions, Curious Curiosities who offer exciting creative and outdoors experiences for children and young people, Smarta Energy helping local businesses reduce their energy bills, and community based radio station Omnium Radio.

The Plot is also home to a variety of Pop Ups including vintage clothing, musicians, workshops, and exhibitions from local talents.

You can find The Plot at 80-84 Union St, Stonehouse, Plymouth PL1 3EZ

Opening times Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm

Find out more on The Plot website.

 

The Clipper

Community Music Hub

Formerly a 24 hour pub which was closed for a number of years before Nudge Community Builders purchased the building and turned it into a café/marketplace with affordable housing in the flats above. The Clipper has since been home to a variety of fairs, takeovers and markets. In December 2020, Omnium Radio, Plymouth’s community radio station, launched the community music hub in The Clipper.

Omnium radio is an internet radio station that works around giving everyone the opportunity of being involved with radio, promoting inclusivity. Omnium believes that hosting a radio show can be done by anyone with the correct training and support. By taking the time to support individuals through training and create required adjustments if possible.

The hub features a café and retail space which are used to fund community projects managed by Omnium Radio.

Alongside Omnium’s radio studios, stands “The Buskers Stage” offering daily open mic time for local musicians, poets and comics to perform live to the café audience. They also have open mic most days for local musicians to perform and test out material plus a great outdoor Sunday live music session from 3pm to 7pm. Stay up to date on their Facebook.

Meeting and workshop space is available for hire.

You can find The Clipper at 65 Union St, Stonehouse, Plymouth PL1 3LU

Opening times Thursday to Saturday 9am to 9pm and Sunday 12pm to 7pm

Find out more on The Clipper website.