Hopes £25m health hub will bring trade boost

Businesses say they are hopeful the opening of a £25m city centre health hub will help bring a boost to trade.

The Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC) on Colin Campbell Court in Plymouth is set to open on 23 June with the capacity to take 300-350 daily appointments between 08:00 and 20:00 seven days a week.

The design from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) does not include a cafe or vending machines in a bid to not take trade away from the city.

Speaking at a meeting with health leaders, a number of business owners in the area said they felt quite positive about the impact the "bright and shiny" building would have.

Aurel Mani, owner of Coffee Time in Cornwall Street, said ongoing work along Armada Way in the city centre - which has led to lots of fencing being erected - had impacted trade as he felt shoppers did not make it down to the West End area.

"Increased footfall till 8pm from the health centre will mean there will be potential customers around for longer," he said.

Adam Fielder of AHF Workwear, a third generation Plymouth Market trader, said retail trade was struggling in general

"I hope there is an opportunity here because they are talking about the community diagnostics centre bringing in 700 people a day with patients and partners and carers," he said.

"It means more people could browse around the market and eat later."

Ray Robins, chairman of the Plymouth Market Traders Association and owner of Robins and Robins jewellers, said the fact the NHS was interested in dovetailing the health hub with traders was a "welcome addition" to the West End.

"There was talk at the meeting about traders doing pre-orders and deliveries - and the logistics of that - all in all it was a very, very positive meeting," he said.

The centre is being built to take pressure off the main hospital at Derriford, reduce waiting times and support earlier diagnosis, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

UHP also has plans for a second CDC to be constructed in the city centre.

Nicki Collas, deputy director for the Future Hospital Programme at UHP, said placing the CDC in the West End meant people could combine their healthcare appointments with other everyday activities.

She said: "Importantly, this increased footfall can provide a welcome boost to local traders in the West End and across the wider city centre, supporting the vibrancy and sustainability of our high streets while delivering healthcare in a more accessible and community-focused way."

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