An exciting array of retail and wellbeing businesses at Royal William Yard are gearing up to reopen their doors, welcoming visitors back to the popular historic waterfront destination. Visitors will soon be able to rediscover the Yard, including two new businesses that defied the odds to open during the lockdown, as well as firm favourites that have innovated their way through challenging times.

Ready to wow shoppers with a new summer collection, which includes an exclusive range of relaxed sportswear, Identity Fashion will reopen on Monday 15th June. The clothing and jewellery boutique made a successful move into selling online during the lockdown but is now looking forward to welcoming back customers to its store at Mills Bakery.

YOKE is Devon’s leading sustainable, ethically focused hair salon, based in the New Cooperage building. Having built an outstanding reputation in the region and beyond, this is a salon dedicated to creating beautiful hair without compromising on condition, or on the environment. Having given the premises a stunning makeover during the lockdown, existing and new customers will be welcomed back from Saturday 4th July.

Relative newcomer to Royal William Yard, Enhance Aesthetics and Wellness, which opened in February, also plans to reopen on Saturday 4th July. The boutique clinic offers relaxing and rejuvenating treatments, beauty and spa therapies and counselling services. While closed, Enhance’s Charlotte Thompson has been working tirelessly to support the NHS, leading a clinical tracking team to help the country through the pandemic. She brings her immense knowledge of public health back to the Yard to reopen Enhance, with plentiful safety measures in place.

In addition to the revival of the Yard’s wellbeing and retail businesses in the next month, visitors can also sample an array of food and drink too – from two brand new arrivals at the Yard. Plymouth’s newest seafood eatery and bar, The Hook & Line opened during the lockdown, offering takeaway meals and fresh fish boxes, caught by owner Ben Squires’ local fishing boats. In due course, this will be Plymouth’s first speciality Rum Bar and exceptional dine-in seafood restaurant, but until restrictions relax it will continue to offer a temping takeaway menu.

Royal William Yard’s first microbrewery, Steel Brew Co, became the first company to move into the iconic Grade I listed Melville building in April. It began brewing behind closed doors just after the lockdown started and has been successfully producing a range of beer ever since, including its inaugural brew which it donated as a thank you gift for key workers. It produces and sells craft beers and beverages – including a ‘bar in a box’ package – via click and collect, as well as a delivery service.

Also thriving through the lockdown is award-winning wine merchant, Le Vignoble, which has adapted to bring its exceptional selection of wines straight to customers’ doors. Until visitors can one again enjoy the wine lounge and tasting classes, Le Vignoble is offering an extended range of wine delivery options, including mixed case deals, individual bottles and a selection of cheese, saucisson and locally baked bread. The South West Wine Merchant of the Year is offering same-day local delivery, or the option to collect from its New Cooperage home.

Hailey Cattle, Regional Marketing Manager for Urban Splash said, “We are delighted to be able to start welcoming visitors back to some of our incredible businesses based at the Yard. We know shops and salons have been missed during the lockdown, and hope this will bring some normality back to peoples’ lives and a sense of wellbeing. We are also lucky to have a remarkable new microbrewery and seafood restaurant, both of which are already attracting a strong local following.

“Safety is our priority and all the businesses opening to the public are following government guidelines, putting in place robust new procedures, and ensuring they safeguard customers. This is just the start and we are delighted to reopen elements of Royal William Yard in a safe and responsible way. We urge visitors to rediscover the Yard and look forward to the coming months, as we begin to return to business as usual.”