Pebble makes a splash at Royal William Yard

3rd October 2025

Independent womenswear boutique Pebble is set to open at Royal William Yard's Arcade on Sunday 5 October. The family-run brand is expanding outside of Cornwall for the first time, bringing its thoughtfully curated collection of clothing, accessories and gifts to Plymouth's historic waterfront.

Pebble becomes the second business to join Arcade – a collection of six flexible retail units housed within the Grade I listed Brewhouse building – that launched this summer. The new retail destination is already home to independent business, Nala's Pet Co.  

Grown in Cornwall

Founded in 2022 by Zoe Groom, Pebble has quickly established itself across Cornwall with successful stores in Looe, Saltash and Falmouth. The business emerged from a deeply personal journey; Zoe conceived the idea whilst on her first holiday after completing two years of breast cancer treatment, reflecting on what she wanted to achieve professionally and personally.

With a career background in high street retail across the South West and London, Zoe knew where her passion lay and where she could make a difference. She started searching for premises immediately, and Pebble was born.

The business remains proudly family-run, with Zoe's mother, mother-in-law, daughter and step-daughter all working across the sites. This family feel creates warm, welcoming spaces accessible to women of all ages, with clothing designed to be inclusive and versatile for every customer.

More than just retail

Pebble operates with purpose at its core. The business actively supports its local communities through sponsorship of an under-16s girls' football team, hosting breast cancer awareness events, and participating in seasonal town celebrations. Plans are underway for a clothes donation project supporting refuge charities.

Zoe Groom, Founder of Pebble, said: “Retail is about all the interactions you have, the stories you share, and the experience you create. I want people to feel valued and special, and I want the business to make a difference to people and communities – that ethos underpins everything we do.

“We are excited for this next chapter as Pebble grows. We've jumped across the Tamar into Devon, and of all the places in Plymouth, Royal William Yard felt like the natural fit for our brand. We can’t wait to welcome customers into our new shop.”

Carefully curated brands

At Royal William Yard, Pebble will offer a handpicked selection of brands, alongside personal styling advice and tips. The collection focuses on homegrown and sustainable brands including Chalk, known for beautiful textures, carefully chosen fabrics and considered design; One Hundred Stars with their stunning kimonos and dresses; Ichi is a Scandi cool company from Denmark with a wide range of unique and affordable clothes that are stylish and on-trend; Merry People boots as featured in Elle & The Guardian; and Lucy Kemp silver jewellery from Hayle, plus carefully selected fragrances, candles and accessories.

“At Pebble, we believe true quality is felt in the finer details,” explains Zoe. “Each of our partners shares Pebble's values: craftsmanship, authenticity, and considered design. We want women to feel comfortable and confident in exceptional clothes – pieces that help them look and feel their best, whatever the occasion.”

Perfect fit for Arcade

Emma Gardiner, Head of Commercial Property at Urban Splash, said: “We're delighted to welcome Pebble to Arcade. Zoe has built an incredible business with strong values and a genuine commitment to quality and community. Pebble embodies exactly what we envisioned for Arcade – independent businesses that bring something unique to Royal William Yard and enhance the experience for visitors. The fact that Pebble chose the Yard for its first location outside Cornwall demonstrates Arcade's appeal as a destination for established, quality-focused businesses looking to grow.”

With monthly licensing options and longer-term leases of up to six years available, Arcade continues to offer flexible opportunities for businesses across retail, leisure and hospitality. Units range from 492 to 1,303 square feet, each featuring roller shutters for independent operation, set within striking industrial heritage surroundings. Businesses interested in joining Arcade's growing community can have licences issued within a week, enabling rapid setup and launch.

For more information about Arcade, visit www.royalwilliamyard.com/Arcade

For more information about Pebble, visit www.pebbleboutique.co.uk