Supporting the Restoration of Plymouth Athenaeum
Community Partnership
- 207+ Years of History
- £2M+ Regeneration Project
- Community Future Focused
Simple Solar is proud to support the regeneration of one of Plymouth’s most historic landmarks. The project will restore the Athenaeum as a vibrant community venue for performances, education, business events and public gatherings for generations to come.
Community Partner
Proudly Supporting Plymouth Athenaeum
Plymouth’s Historic Athenaeum
Restoring One of Plymouth’s Most Historic Buildings
Founded in the early 1800s, the Plymouth Athenaeum has been one of the city’s most recognisable cultural and scientific institutions across three different centuries — hosting lectures, performances, exhibitions and community events long before “regeneration” was a word anyone used.
The current project repairs the building and updates its facilities without erasing what makes it distinctive — creating a working venue for local organisations, schools, performers and businesses across the city. Improved accessibility, including new lifts and step-free routes, is built into every phase of the works.
- Early 1800s
- Founded as a society for Plymouth’s scientific and literary community.
- 1831
- Charles Darwin addressed the Athenaeum shortly before departing on HMS Beagle.
- 1941
- The original building was lost during the Blitz.
- 1961
- Rebuilt in its current post-war form and reopened to the city.
- Today
- A new phase of restoration and modernisation is under way.
Regeneration
Restoring a Plymouth Landmark
Rebuilt in 1961 after wartime bombing, the Athenaeum has stood at the heart of Plymouth’s cultural life for more than sixty years. This phase of work repairs the building’s fabric, brings its facilities up to date, and reopens it as a working venue for the city.
Our Partnership
Why Simple Solar Is Supporting the Plymouth Athenaeum
Investing in our local communities matters to us as much as helping people cut their energy bills. Supporting the Athenaeum’s regeneration is our way of helping preserve a piece of Plymouth’s heritage while creating something the next generation can actually use.
The Athenaeum has been part of Plymouth’s story for more than two centuries. As the building enters its next chapter, we’re proud to stand alongside the other organisations helping bring the project to life.
Whether it’s grassroots sport, community organisations, or landmark restoration projects like this one, we back things that make a real difference across the region we call home.
Community First
Supporting projects that benefit local people and strengthen our communities.
Protecting Heritage
Helping preserve important local landmarks while investing in their future.
Building for Tomorrow
Backing green projects that create long-term value for future generations.
Where we invest locally
- Plymouth
- Devon
- Cornwall
- South West
Community Impact
A Lasting Legacy for Plymouth
Restoring the Athenaeum isn’t only a repair project. It changes what the building can offer the city — more usable space, more local events, and a base for organisations that currently have nowhere central to meet.
- Supporting Local People
- Meeting rooms and event spaces become available to community groups, charities and schools who currently have nowhere central and low-cost to meet.
- Growing the Local Economy
- A working venue draws footfall back to the surrounding streets and supports ongoing local employment, not just short-term construction jobs.
- Arts & Culture
- Refurbished performance spaces support theatre, live music, comedy, exhibitions and conferences throughout the year — not just occasional one-off events.
- Access for Everyone
- New lifts, ramps and step-free routes mean age or mobility no longer decide who gets to use the building.
Strong communities are built by businesses, charities and local organisations working together. We’re proud to play our part in helping secure the future of one of Plymouth’s most important landmarks.
Simple Solar
Your Project
Thinking about solar panels for your organisation?
Whether you run a sports club, charity, community building, school or commercial property, we can design a solar system that reduces energy costs and supports your long-term green goals.
Supporting Our Community
Why Community Sponsorship Matters to Simple Solar
We’re proud to support local sports clubs, athletes and community organisations across Plymouth and the South West. Here’s how that shows up in practice:
Supporting grassroots sport.
From youth football and amateur rugby to individual athletes, we help local people compete, develop and represent their communities with pride. Our sponsorships let clubs and competitors focus on what they do best while building stronger local connections.
Investing in local communities.
Beyond sport, we support community organisations and projects that create lasting benefits across Plymouth and the South West — from restoring important public spaces to backing charitable initiatives.
More than solar installers.
Every installation we complete helps us invest back into our communities. Supporting local clubs, athletes and organisations is part of who we are — not just something we do.
Building partnerships that last.
Whether we’re sponsoring a club, supporting an athlete, donating equipment or backing a community project, our aim is partnerships that continue for years, not one-off donations.