The Box in Plymouth has reported a record-breaking 2025/2026 season, attracting 356,000 visitors and surpassing its annual target by 18%. This surge represents a 44% increase from the previous year, contributing to a total of 1.1 million visitors since the institution opened in late 2020. The success is largely attributed to high-profile exhibitions, including a major retrospective of local artist Beryl Cook and a showcase featuring Sir Joshua Reynolds’ portrait of Mai.
These figures underscore the museum's growing influence as a major cultural destination and its significant impact on the regional economy. With nearly half of the Beryl Cook exhibition attendees traveling from outside the local area, the institution is successfully leveraging local heritage to drive tourism and hospitality revenue for the city of Plymouth. The milestone demonstrates the viability of free-admission regional galleries in fostering long-term community engagement and national visibility.