Wasson?
Good morning Plymouth 👋
Happy Thursday and welcome to the very first Wasson Plymouth newsletter of 2026 🍾
We hope you managed to make the most of the Christmas and New Year break (or at least survived it). As we head into a new year, we wanted to let you know we’re tweaking the way we write these newsletters - keeping the same local flavour, but making things a bit sharper, a bit more useful, and easier for you to dip in and out of. If you spot the difference… that’s intentional.
2026 is shaping up to be a big one for Wasson Plymouth, and for Plym Card too. More local stories, more independent businesses involved, and more ways to support Plymouth while actually getting something back. But for now - let’s ease into the year properly.
Here is what to expect in today’s edition:
🍓 Plymouth Stranger Things, Strawberry Fields Plymouth venue, & Palace Theatre Update
💡 Expert team appointed for City Centre project
📅 Exciting events to start 2026!
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⭐ Plymouth in Stranger Things
In case you somehow missed it, Stranger Things is having a bit of a moment again. The season finale dropped on New Year’s Eve, and it got us thinking…
What would Plymouth look like if it slipped into the Upside Down?
Picture Smeaton’s Tower looming out of the fog, the Barbican glowing under an eerie red sky, and the wind across the Hoe sounding just a bit… suspicious. Is it dramatic? Absolutely. Is it ridiculous? Also yes. But it’s surprisingly fun to imagine our city with a slightly spooky, sci-fi twist.
Have a look - and if you like this sort of thing, make sure you’re following us on Instagram for more 👇
Exciting news for foodies and coffee lovers: the award-winning Strawberry Fields Farm Shop. Known for its homemade produce, hearty lunches, bakery treats and strong local following, it’s heading for the edge of Plymouth with a new location opening Spring 2026 on the Dartmoor Diner site. The family-run business has been growing from humble beginnings into one of Devon’s best-loved farm shop experiences, and this expansion brings those famous pasties, homemade jams, and barista coffee even closer to Plymouth folk.
The historic Palace Theatre on Union Street, a grand old music hall and cinema that opened in 1898 but has sat unused for years, continues to grab public attention. Locals and heritage groups are calling for urgent action as it remains on the Heritage at Risk register, with voices around the city highlighting both its architectural significance and the irony that such an iconic building is deteriorating right in the heart of Plymouth. A push to include it on broader endangered buildings lists has sparked fresh conversations about preservation, the city’s cultural history, and what we want Plymouth’s future to look like.
Expert team appointed to deliver Plymouth’s City Centre project
Big plans are taking shape to transform Plymouth’s core. A new expert team, including world-renowned architects and planners, has been appointed to co-design a refreshed masterplan for the city centre that could see up to 10,000 new homes alongside greener streets, vibrant public spaces and modern infrastructure. It’s a long-term vision - and one that’s being shaped with community input from the very start - aimed at making the centre not just a place to visit, but a place to live, work, and thrive.
Friday 9th January
☀️ Sunny
High: 6°C | Low: 3°C
Saturday 10th January
☀️ Sunny
High: 7°C | Low: 2°C
Sunday 11th January
🌧️ Rainy
High: 10°C | Low: 6°C
📅 FRIDAY 9TH JANUARY
An intimate, beautifully acted character study starring Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall - a moving ode to art, friendship, and creative legacy.
📍 Plymouth Arts Cinema
📅 Fri 9 Jan | 6pm
Beat the January blues with this bi-monthly life-drawing session with a twist, hosted by the POSE crew and starring Violet MsDemeanour Jinx.
📍 Leadworks, Stonehouse
📅 Fri 9 Jan | 7pm–9pm
A vibrant, eclectic exhibition showcasing artwork by local Plymouth artists - perfect for a relaxed gallery wander.
📍 Manor Street, Stonehouse
📅 Fri 9 Jan | 10am–8pm
A powerful, free exhibition exploring memory, conflict, activism, and resilience, featuring work by Grayson Perry and more.
A powerful, free exhibition exploring memory, conflict, activism, and resilience, featuring work by Grayson Perry and more.
Follow the magical trail through Saltram’s gardens with games, challenges, and festive photo moments for families.
📍 Saltram, Plympton
📅 Fri 9 Jan | 10am–4pm
📅 SATURDAY 10TH JANUARY
Thinking about studying creative arts? Explore the campus, meet lecturers, and tour award-winning facilities.
📍 Arts University Plymouth
📅 Sat 10 Jan | 10am–2pm
A gripping contemporary Polish drama about online love, obsession, and disillusionment - hugely successful in Poland.
📍 Plymouth Arts Cinema
📅 Sat 10 Jan | 8pm
David Bowie shines as the Goblin King in Jim Henson’s cult fantasy classic - a must for fans and families alike.
📍 Plymouth Arts Cinema
📅 Sat 10 Jan | 3pm
A moving documentary marking 10 years since Bowie’s passing, exploring the creation of Blackstar and his final artistic statement.
📍 Plymouth Arts Cinema
📅 Sat 10 Jan | 5.30pm
A sparkling, laugh-out-loud family panto packed with songs, mischief, and magic - perfect for all ages.
📍 China Fleet Country Club, Saltash
📅 Sat 10 Jan | 1.30pm–3.30pm
Join this joyful winter tradition to wake the apple trees with noise, singing, lanterns, and live music - free and open to all.
📍 Stoke Inn & Blockhouse Park
📅 Sat 10 Jan | 3pm–6pm
Drop in for free taster classes, expert-led workouts, and giveaways at this Stonehouse training space.
📍 BLOCK Plymouth
📅 Sat 10 Jan | 7am–5pm
📅 SUNDAY 11TH JANUARY
A relaxed, welcoming space for writers to work on projects, share advice, and peer-review work together.
📍 The Promenade Café Bar
📅 Sun 11 Jan | 3pm–5pm
Your last chance this weekend to explore this thought-provoking exhibition on memory, activism, and hope.
📍 The Box Plymouth
📅 Sun 11 Jan | 10am–5pm
A perfect Sunday family outing - step into the deep dark wood and bring the story to life.
📍 Saltram, Plympton
📅 Sun 11 Jan | 10am–4pm
Support local artists and enjoy a diverse showcase of creative work before the exhibition closes mid-January.
📍 Manor Street, Stonehouse
📅 Sun 11 Jan | 10am–8pm
Enjoy your weekend, Janners.
Whether you’re heading to the cinema, blessing apple trees, wandering an exhibition, or writing in a café, we hope you find something that makes your week a little brighter.
Got an event coming up or something we should know about? Hit reply or drop us a message - we love hearing from you.
Thanks for supporting local, and we’ll see you back here next week 💙
That’s your lot. Enjoy it, Plymouth.
Cheers,
Lewis
