The Clipper

Welcome to The Clipper, a café and community market.

Back in the day, The Clipper was a 24 hour pub and the only place in Plymouth to get a drink at 5am. It had been empty for four years before we purchased it and transformed the downstairs into a café and marketplace. Upstairs we built two affordable flats providing secure homes for local residents.

Take a look at how we transformed the façade — what a difference a lick of paint makes!

A colorful two-story building painted blue with red accents, called The Clipper Inn, located on a city street with pedestrians. There are signs and windows on the building, and neighboring shops on either side.

Before….

Building facade with colorful geometric murals, two flags on poles, and a storefront with a sign that reads 'This space is getting a little large'.

…after!

Friday Night On Union Street

Interior of a bar or restaurant with a large mural of a lively dance scene featuring people in vintage clothing.

When you enter The Clipper you can still see all the previous pub owners on the pole inside and on a mural called Friday Night on Union Street. The mural was painted by Vincent Bennett in 1948 and is based on all the local characters that used to drink in the pub. We love bringing buildings and spaces back into use in surprising ways, but always in a way that recognises the history and people that have gone before. Read the Clipper story here.

Close-up view of a storefront window with signs that read 'THE CLIPPER' and 'THE CLIPPER' in a small local business area, with a sidewalk, parked cars, and buildings in the background.
Plate of Mexican food with rice, beans, grilled vegetables, sour cream, and plantains.
A man wearing glasses and a pink cap serving food to a woman at a restaurant or cafe.
Setting with neatly wrapped silverware and napkins on a wooden surface, surrounded by pink, purple, and white flowers.
Sign on building that reads 'West African Food' with another sign partially visible that reads 'Pumpti Village Kitchen'
Close-up of a pot with black beans, vegetables, and shredded chicken inside, with some of the contents visible and a spoon resting inside.