Is Plymouth too Remote?
Some companies consider Plymouth to be geographically remote and are reluctant to base resources somewhere that is considered to be in a peripheral location. As a result Plymouth is very dependant upon it’s University, Derriford Hospital and Devonport Dockyard.
Which makes all the media reports about the Dockyard’s uncertain future, particularly unsettling for the people of Plymouth. I hope that the Dockyard will retain enough work to avoid redundancies, but that is out of our hands to some extent.
Distance Can Be a Good Thing
However there is one aspect in which, Plymouth’s perceived remoteness is not a disadvantage, in fact it could even be considered an attraction. And that is tourism.
People are extremely willing to travel to remote locations for their holidays. After all if people are happy to travel to Mexico for a break (although that won’t be happening for much longer!)then they can hardly think that Plymouth is too far away!
Getting Away Without the Hassle
When people go on holiday they want to get as far away as possible from home, so that they can forget all their worries and relax completely. They want nothing to remind them of work, the gas bill, the children’s homework, etc.
However people are also concerned about cost at the moment. They want to get as far away as possible, but they don’t want to spend a fortune on their holiday.
Plymouth is Perfect for Short Breaks
This is where Plymouth comes into its own. Remote enough to get away from it all and yet not so remote that travel costs are astronomical. No tricky exchange rates to worry about, no airport delays, no lost luggage. Just jump in your car and drive down to Plymouth.
Plymouth: Staycation City
Plymouth has a real holiday feel to it in the summer, especially with the Summer Festival about to start, kicking off with the Barbican International Jazz and Blues Festival (I can’t wait for that!). Sunshine, sea air, boats, traditional pubs, live jazz and beautiful beaches and moorland just a few minutes away.
Is Plymouth too remote? Maybe, but then again, maybe that’s not so bad after all.
What do you think?
