Drake Circus
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersPlymouth, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
Drake Circus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Drake Circus
- Legal name
- The British Land Company PLC
- Website
- https://drakecircus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Drake Circus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Shopping Centre / Retail Property Management
- NAICS
- Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Family Entertainment Centers & Indoor Amusement (Arcades, Trampoline Parks, Indoor Play) (THAAAAAD)
Keywords
Where Drake Circus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Plymouth
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Drake Circus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Commercial property rental: Drake Circus generates revenue through leasing retail, restaurant, and leisure space to tenants including fashion retailers, beauty brands, restaurants, cafes, entertainment venues, and service providers. The centre extends over 560,000 sq ft and charges retailers rent based on agreed commercial terms.
- Car park charges: Revenue from parking fees at Drake Circus car park (1,270 spaces) and The Barcode car park (400+ spaces). Tariffs range from £4 for up to 2 hours to £18 for 6-24 hours, with electric vehicle charging at 49p per KWH.
- Digital advertising and media: Revenue from digital screen advertising placements throughout the centre through partners including Bauer Media Outdoor (Drake Circus) and Open Media (The Barcode), plus lift advertising through Limited Space.
- Promotional activity commercialisation: Revenue from promotional activities managed through agency Mall Solutions including promotional partnerships and brand activations within the centre.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Short stay parking up to 2 hours |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Medium stay parking 2-6 hours |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Full day parking 6-24 hours |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Overnight parking |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Motorcycle parking |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Electric vehicle charging |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
Drake Circus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Drake Circus is a shopping centre and leisure destination in Plymouth, UK, that leases retail, restaurant, and entertainment space to over 80 retailers and 17+ food and beverage operators across 560,000 sq ft, complemented by The Barcode leisure extension. It generates revenue primarily from commercial property rental to tenants, supplemented by car park charges, EV charging, digital out-of-home advertising, and promotional commercialisation managed via agency partners.
Product overview
Drake Circus is a major retail and leisure destination in Plymouth, Devon, spanning over 560,000 sq ft as part of one of the UK's largest shopping destinations. The portfolio combines Drake Circus (primary shopping centre) with The Barcode (dining and leisure extension), offering 80+ retail stores and 17 bars, cafes, and restaurants alongside entertainment venues. Core retail brands include fashion retailers, health and beauty stores, jewellery specialists, electronics, and specialty shops. The Barcode provides leisure amenities including a Cineworld cinema with IMAX and 4DX screens, Trident Gym (24-hour fitness), Boom Battle Bar (axe throwing and shuffleboard), Paradise Island Adventure Golf, and Spinners (bowling and darts). Additional services include car parking with EV charging, The Car Wash Company, Octopus Energy kiosk, Amazon Lockers, and accessibility facilities (Shopmobility, Changing Places). Sustainability commitments include Net Zero by 2030 target, solar energy, and community biodiversity partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Drake Circus Shopping Centre Major shopping centre in Plymouth spanning over 560,000 sq ft, housing 80+ retail stores and 17+ food and beverage outlets, leased to fashion, beauty, electronics, and specialty retailers.
- The Barcode Leisure Extension
Quantifiable outcome
- Record footfall grew in 2023 and continues to expand
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Drake Circus
Customer profileNamed customers23 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Drake Circus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Drake Circus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Pollenize CICminorDrake Circus partnered with Pollenize CIC, a local biodiversity social enterprise, to sponsor a local community beehive. The partnership includes an interactive bee atrium installation at the centre teaching visitors about pollinators and biodiversity.
- National Literacy TrustminorDrake Circus works with the National Literacy Trust on the Young Readers Programme, celebrating 13 years of partnership. The programme helps children discover the joy of reading.
- Cancer Research UKminorDrake Circus supports Race for Life Plymouth, an event raising funds for life-saving cancer research. The centre turns its lighting pink in support and provides easy parking access to the event at The Hoe.
- Access PlymouthminorWhile Drake Circus's Shopmobility facility is temporarily closed for improvements, Access Plymouth offers alternative mobility equipment service close to the centre at Mayflower East Car Park, providing scooters and wheelchairs usable throughout the centre and wider Plymouth area.
- Mall SolutionsminorAgency handling promotional activity enquiries for Drake Circus. Contact: [email protected] or 07827838271.
- Bauer Media OutdoorminorDigital screen advertising partner for Drake Circus portrait screens located throughout the centre in high footfall locations. Contact: [email protected]
- Open MediaminorDigital screen advertising partner for The Barcode landscape screen (over 100m2), dominating the main shopping district. Contact: 0151 372 0217 or [email protected]
- Limited SpaceminorLift advertising partner for Drake Circus. Leading shopping centre media owner offering digital and static formats throughout the UK. Contact: 020 3793 2820 or [email protected]
- Steel BrewminorSister brewery to taproom, providing fresh craft beer to the taproom venue at The Barcode. Regional brewery showcasing local craft products.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Drake Circus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Meadowhall Shopping Centre: Major UK regional shopping centre near Sheffield with extensive retail, dining and leisure offering including cinema and family entertainment. Comparable scale and tenant mix.
- Metrocentre: One of the largest shopping centres in the UK (Gateshead/Newcastle) offering retail, dining, cinema and extensive leisure including indoor activities - highly comparable scope.
- Liverpool ONE: Mixed-use retail and leisure destination in Liverpool combining high-street retail, restaurants, cinema and entertainment venues - directly comparable to Drake Circus's integrated format.
- Bullring & Grand Central, Birmingham: Major UK city-centre shopping and leisure destination with strong fashion and dining tenant mix. Comparable destination shopping format.
- Cabot Circus: Bristol-based mixed-use shopping and leisure destination with a similar retail + dining + entertainment mix and comparable size. Closely comparable format to Drake Circus + The Barcode.
- Trinity Leeds: Mixed-use retail and leisure centre in central Leeds combining shopping, restaurants and entertainment venues. Comparable indoor destination format to Drake Circus.
- The Trafford Centre: Large UK regional shopping destination with significant leisure, dining and entertainment components. Comparable scale and experience-led format.
Broad incumbents
- Westfield UK (Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield): Global operator of flagship destination shopping centres including Westfield London and Stratford City. Comparable retail+leisure concept at larger scale.
- intu Properties (former) / Hammerson: UK REIT operating major shopping centres (e.g. Victoria Gate Leeds, Highcross Leicester, Bullring stake). Closest publicly-listed landlord comparable to British Land's retail strategy.
- Landsec (Land Securities Group): Major UK REIT operating significant retail and mixed-use destinations. Comparable landlord profile and capital allocation framework to British Land (Drake Circus's owner).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Drake Circus social profiles
Digital presenceDrake Circus compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Drake Circus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Drake Circus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Drake Circus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Drake Circus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Drake Circus
What does Drake Circus do?
Drake Circus is a shopping centre and leisure destination in Plymouth, UK, that leases retail, restaurant, and entertainment space to over 80 retailers and 17+ food and beverage operators across 560,000 sq ft, complemented by The Barcode leisure extension. It generates revenue primarily from commercial property rental to tenants, supplemented by car park charges, EV charging, digital out-of-home advertising, and promotional commercialisation managed via agency partners.
Is Drake Circus a public or private company?
Drake Circus is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Drake Circus founded?
Drake Circus was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Drake Circus based?
Drake Circus is headquartered in Plymouth, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Drake Circus make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Commercial property rental is the primary driver. The others are car park charges, digital advertising and media and promotional activity commercialisation.
Who are Drake Circus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Meadowhall Shopping Centre, Metrocentre, Liverpool ONE, Bullring & Grand Central, Birmingham, Cabot Circus, Trinity Leeds and The Trafford Centre. Broad incumbents are Westfield UK (Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield), intu Properties (former) / Hammerson and Landsec (Land Securities Group).
Does Drake Circus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Drake Circus.
What industry is Drake Circus in?
Drake Circus's product category is Shopping Centre / Retail Property Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAAAD, Family Entertainment Centers & Indoor Amusement (Arcades, Trampoline Parks, Indoor Play). Its NAICS code is 7131 and its SIC code is 7900.