Plans for creating a mixed-use development in the heart of Barnstaple are one step closer to fruition as North Devon Council awards a construction firm the contract to build the project.

After a successful tender process, local company Pearce Construction have been appointed by the council to take on the redevelopment of 36/7 Boutport Street. 

The council purchased the site in 2021 and, as part of their ‘Market Quarter’ project, are refurbishing it for community and business use. 36 Boutport Street will become a cultural hub for North Devon, while 37 will be a new build incorporating employment units and a number of residential properties, including at least four units of affordable accommodation. The development will also include a central arcade walk-way from the Queen Street car park to the town centre.

Site set-up work and mobilisation - including the erection of scaffolding and temporary roofs - will start in mid-March when scaffolding will be erected. An 18 month construction programme will follow, with work being completed at the end of November 2025.

North Devon Council's Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Councillor Malcolm Prowse said: "We are delighted to have brought Pearce Construction on board to make the dreams for redeveloping 36/7 Boutport Street a reality.

"Whilst there will be some unavoidable disruption whilst works are ongoing - such as a small reduction in parking spaces in Queen Street car park - we will work with neighbouring properties and the wider public to ensure this is kept to a minimum. We also guarantee that any disruption felt in the short term will all be worth it in the end!

"Through the refurbishment of the historic site we are aiming to create a vibrant, enterprising, evolving space to support cultural uses in the centre of Barnstaple. With an impressive and extensive portfolio of local projects, including the amazing watersports hub in Ilfracombe, Pearce is very safe and local pair of hands and we are excited to start working with them on this project.

Managing Director of Pearce Construction, Paul Knox, said “Pearce are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious contract and once again work in partnership with NDC to deliver high quality buildings that will benefit our community and local economy. 36/7 Boutport Street has been in disrepair for decades and it is fitting that we, as local employers, will be working with our client NDC and the design team to play our part in regenerating this part of Barnstaple whilst we are also delivering improvements to the Guildhall in Butchers Row”.

The redevelopment of 36/7 Boutport Street is expected to provide:

• 36 Boutport Street: A ground floor, open plan space which the council hopes will operate as an art and culture café-bar
• 36 Boutport Street: The upper floors will provide fluid work spaces for the creative industries sectors, including arts, culture and digital, amongst others. This space will include co-worker spaces, workshop space and meeting spaces
• 37 Boutport Street: The construction of 10 individual ground floor workshop units either side of a central arcade, leading from Queen Street/Bear Street car park towards the town centre

More information about the Market Quarter projects is available on the barnstaple.co.uk website and on the North Devon Council website. 

The Market Quarter project is partially funded by UK Government and Levelling Up.