Crispin Lilly, CEO at Everyman, said: “We are delighted to make this news public and share our plans to bring our brand to Royal William Yard.

“It’s a fascinating place and we knew from our first visit there was a synergy with Everyman – not just the aesthetics, but the whole atmosphere and vibe here is right for us. We’re planning to get stuck straight in and earn our place in this community, working alongside the wonderful range of businesses already here.”

Added Plymouth City Council Leader, Councillor Tudor Evans OBE: “We have seen the yard go from strength to strength to become a major destination in its own right. It’s played a key role in ensuring Britain’s Ocean City’s cultural offer continues to bring people flocking to the city over and over again. We recently had the spectacular Illuminate event, Ocean Studios is now offering a fascinating venue and space for artists. This latest announcement all adds to the buzz being created in Plymouth.”

Everyman will create three screening rooms in an 9,000 sq ft unit within Melville, the Grade I Listed structure which overlooks the Marina at the heart of Royal William Yard. It is the first in a series of forthcoming tenant announcements as Urban Splash finalises deals with other operators expecting to move here, as well as carrying out refurbishment works which will transform the building – one of the final undeveloped structures within Royal William Yard.

The company’s commercial director Emily Handslip explained: “Melville is the jewel in the Yard’s crown and I am thrilled Everyman will make this stunning space their home. It is a brand very much in sync with Urban Splash – one intent on pioneering a new idea within its industry.

“Everyman comes following an incredibly buoyant period for us here at the Yard, a time in which we’ve gained some fantastic assets like the Bistrot Pierre hotel – which opened this summer – events like the recent Illuminate festival and of course the Barbican, Royal William Yard & Mount Edgcumbe Ferry route. I’m just thrilled a boutique cinema offering is now within that mix.”

The remaining space within Melville is now being marketed, with office units range from 300 sq ft for smaller entities, through to head quarter size office space. Emily continued: “The composition of Melville means there are plenty of brilliant options on the table. We’re a renowned flexible landlord so can accommodate enquiries from all businesses; be they a startup looking for 300 sq ft, to entire floorplates suitable as a regional HQ for a larger organisation.”

Royal William Yard is now home to more than 70 businesses; tenants include bars and restaurants such as the Seco Lounge - the first ever restaurant to move into the Yard - Wagamama, Wildwood, Las Iguanas, Prezzo, Le Vignoble, Le Bistrot Pierre - whose Bistrot Pierre Rooms gave the Yard its first hotel this year too; retailer ID Fashion, hair salon Yoke; office occupiers Harland Accountants, ACPS property services, construction firm Aterlier, engineers Hoare Lea, marketing agency - and longstanding tenant Bluestone 360 - and financial services business Responsible Life.

A number of social enterprises operate from the Yard too, with the Real Ideas Organisation, Individual Studios, and Column Bakehouse all calling it home. Arts organisations including the University of Plymouth’s faculty of Fine Arts, Ocean Studios, Common Sense Studio and the Martin Bush Gallery also operate here, while - taking advantage of the picturesque waterfront – operators such as the Royal William Yard Marina, responsible for the site’s moorings - and the South West SUP - a paddle boarding service - give residents and visitors more reason to come to the area.

Anyone wishing to enquire about remaining space should contact emilyhandslip@urbansplash.co.uk. Agents for the scheme are Lambert Smith Hampton, Listers and JLL; the Royal William Yard estate is also managed by Lambert Smith Hampton.