Following its completion of The Box, Willmott Dixon is underlining its support for Plymouth’s future as a gateway for growth across Devon and Cornwall by setting up a permanent base in the city.

The company has opened the doors to its new office in Thrive Hub, 25 The Crescent, as a platform to create local jobs and grow the business across the region and contribute to wider inward investment opportunities. Creating a Plymouth base is also part of Willmott Dixon’s ethos to be close to its customers, and allows the company to further expand its network of local SMEs who are vital for delivering projects like The Box.

Willmott Dixon is playing a vital role in helping regions be part of the ‘levelling up’ agenda by supporting local business, investing in skills and building projects that are a catalyst for further job creation and prosperity.

The company has been active in Plymouth for a number of years and was responsible for delivering the St Matthew's CE Academy and Knowle School five years ago to create nearly 1,000 new school places. This was followed by the extensive restoration of The Box, a local cultural icon celebrating 400 years since the sailing of the Mayflower to America.

During the project, approximately £18m of total spend on The Box was in the PL postcode.

In addition, through working with Building Plymouth, the restoration of The Box provided over 30 work experience placements, 16 apprenticeships and 11 jobs through the National Skills Academy.

Neal Stephens, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the South West region said,

“We are delighted to be opening a new office in Plymouth, providing significant opportunity to contribute to the local pound. This is the next chapter in our investment to the region, following our role in delivering major projects across Devon that are contributing to growth and supporting local businesses.

“As the UK continues to recover from the economic impact of Coronavirus, Plymouth has a very bright future, with the impending Freeport and exciting plans for the Civic Centre and Guildhall pointing towards a sustained period of growth and investment in the region. We aim to play our part in supporting that growth.”