This is what I said...
Over ten years ago, we mapped out the need to make Exeter City Centre more pedestrian-friendly – and to deliver significant advances in relation to traffic-free streets and pedestrian priority zones. At the time, the overall concept would have been difficult to sell – but the changes were made incrementally and no-one would now suggest rolling back on the substantial improvements we have made for pedestrians in Princesshay, in Bedford Street, in Cathedral Yard, in Roman Walk and elsewhere in the City Centre. No-one would argue that what has been achieved does not make for a better visitor and shopper experience, for a better environment in which our businesses, small and large, can trade more competitively and successfully. This is important context for the remarks specific to Paris Street that I have to make this afternoon.
We must be looking at the long-term and ensuring that we see where we are now as a stepping stone towards the next major elements of City Centre change and renewal that I think all of us in this room would back.
In the longer-term, the complete pedestrianisation of the area of Paris Street after the Civic Centre/Princesshay Car Park junction is surely the right way forward. I appreciate that at first appearance this does not appear to be an option, but I genuinely believe that the bulk of the arguments for the options of maintaining one-way traffic vs reverting to two-way traffic in Paris Street are based on a quick fix, ie what can be achieved in the next 6-12 months, and not a real long term strategy to deal with the problem of the division of the city as a whole. This third option of complete pedestrianisation can only realistically come about as part of the re-development of the Bus Station site and in close co-operation with the developer. This is not beyond the realms of possibility; we only have to look at what has been achieved with Princesshay to see that works of this magnitude are indeed possible.
Retailers will think twice before committing themselves to a site on the ‘wrong side’ of the current traffic barrier. Similarly, developers will be reluctant to invest. Land Securities have talked to John Lewis on a number of occasions about the bus station site. It is clear that one of their significant reservations is the traffic barrier on the upper part of Paris Street – ideally the investor would wish to see all traffic removed or alternatively creating a bus only street. You have received a letter from Nick Davis, Retail Development Director at Land Securities – dated 5 March, which stresses that Land Securities would be “concerned in terms of the longer term regeneration of the bus station area if Paris Street reverted to two-way”. Nick Davis clearly states that his advice is not based on Land Securities’ particular interest as a property owner in this part of the city, but a more generic one which is that developers across the country will tend to press for solutions which eliminate traffic barriers and thus often require bold solutions for them to be effective.
Obviously this is a great concern, we need to actively address the whole issue and put into place a long term environmental traffic management plan which puts pedestrians first – after all it is they who spend money and generate economic activity, not motorists driving through the City Centre.
Most historic cities, such as Cambridge and Bath and York, don’t allow you to drive across the core – it may be convenient but it isn’t necessary. Thus, someone arriving from the east, with a destination on the north side of the City Centre should park in one of the car parks on the eastern corridors and walk 400 metres, rather than driving to the door. If they must drive to their destination, then they take a circuitous route around the core or even the periphery – that’s how it works in Bath.
As a city we are in the enviable position of faring considerably better than most in very difficult economic times. This strength comes from our ability to embrace change and continually move forward, most recently with Princesshay, even when that change is perhaps quite painful. I do not think it over dramatic to state that the Sidwell Street area of the city now represents that next chapter of change, and we really should embrace and plan for the longer term option.
We should all bear in mind that we are simply custodians of the city today, for the future generations of tomorrow.
For another year, trading has been relatively buoyant for us during the Christmas period. Conversations with store managers during the last week have underpinned my take on things – that Christmas trade has continued with the encouraging trend prevalent in Exeter during the last 18 months. Exeter isn’t an island and there’s no doubt that we’ve had our challenges during the tough economic climate of the last 12 months, but there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel, with new stores opening in the City, and choice for our visitors improving still further. The good news is underpinned by our latest City Centre retail vacancy figures (the percentage of City Centre shops lying empty) – currently standing at a relatively modest 6.8%, which compares favorably to the national rate of around 13%.
Now it’s time for an, albeit brief, period of thanks and reflection…
Exeter’s success is down to many things, but there’s no doubt that a large slug of our success is down to the thousands of people working in City Centre businesses and the many hundreds of workers who keep our streets clean, run our public buildings, keep our streets safe, manage our car parks and ensure our buses and trains provide reliable and speedy access in to the City. As many of us break for what we will all feel is a well deserved rest, let’s firstly give a big thanks to the often unsung heroes of our City Centre – many of whom will still be working over the Christmas period. Let’s give thanks for the tireless work of others who make our visits to the City safe and enjoyable – and let’s give thanks for the support of their families too. The City Centre can only operate successfully because of the dedication of so many who often work in challenging situations and give 110% to their job and the community they serve.
I was lucky enough to be invited to the Heart Toast of Devon Awards event earlier this month. The event was humbling, with all those receiving awards having done amazing things for their families and communities. I’m lucky enough to be looking forward to a Christmas with family and loved ones this year, but I will be taking time to think of the many who are not as lucky as me…
The City Centre is more than just one big shopping centre. Commerce is vital to Exeter and the health of its community, but the City Centre is a shop window for the wider community and there are many in that community who will find Christmas difficult. However you do it, whether in one of the wonderful Cathedral Christmas services, or in church, or simply with family and friends, I hope that you will join me in reflecting on those in our community for whom Christmas brings hardship.
Here’s to a period where we can properly reflect on the things that really matter to us all…
…and think of so many others that make the simple things in our life and our City Centre work like clockwork.
Thanks & Happy Christmas.
Any new store opening is good news, but the Virgin Media store opening isn’t just a one-off. The latest survey of vacant City Centre retail units undertaken by my office (details set out below) shows a significant drop in the City Centre retail vacancy rate in November for the first time in 15 months. Clearly things could take a turn for the worse again, but it does really begin to feel as though things are beginning to move in the right direction. The percentage of City Centre units now lying empty stands at just 6.88%, considerably less than the national average, and, to date, the Christmas trading news filtering out from retailers is encouraging, with most reporting sales up on this time last year. And it’s not as if we’ve suddenly seen a batch of new stores opening with there having been no good news to report during the early Autumn – businesses such as Carluccio’s, which opened in September, don’t back anything other than competitive, winning centres and November saw new stores in the city for Chatham Marine (Bedford Street), Shake Away (Guildhall Shopping Centre) and Castle Galleries (Cathedral Yard), to name just three.
Although I’m far from complacent, I’m increasingly confident that there will be more new store announcements in the first quarter of 2010. Just catching-up on discussions in relation to attracting a new tenant to the former Woolworths unit this morning, I’m told that negotiations are in the final stages, with an announcement on a new tenant for that site likely in the new year.
Exeter isn’t immune from a challenging national economic picture, but we’ve performed well in comparison to many other town and city centres to date. We can look forward to the trend of positive store announcements continuing in to 2010.
John Harvey 11/12/2009
The wonderful Christmas Tree, outside the West Front of Exeter Cathedral, is not only the Tree of Light, but also the ‘City’s Christmas Tree In The Close’. The Tree is a symbol of City and charitable & community organisations working together – something that’s really important, as the City Centre is at the heart of the local community. I hope that the presence of the Tree of Light over the coming weeks will help a really important local charity to raise much needed funds for its vital work.
The City Centre will clearly only continue to develop if the myriad of businesses to which it’s home continue to trade successfully. Ultimately, however, the Centre can only thrive as a ‘shop window’ for the local community if the people of Exeter, and the communities that it serves, feel that the City Centre works with the charities and community groups that are important to them. This is something we try our best to deliver – but we would always welcome views from the local community on how we could be ever-more successful with this specific objective. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have a view on this issue at john.harvey@exeter.gov.uk.
It’s all about us recognising the benefits and importance of ‘active citizenship’…
John Harvey.
Posted on: 4/12/2009
Exeter’s new interactive online Christmas Advent Calendar which launched this week, is proving a great success. Every day a new and exclusive money saving promotion can by found by visiting www.exetershopping.org and clicking on a new window.
With hundreds of people opening the calendar in the first few days, many people have already benefited from the exclusive discounts for Shaker Maker, Leaf Street and Caroline Charles. Other promotions to look forward to include Mama Stones, Exeter Northcott, Debenhams and HQ Hair and Beauty. The offers will stay online throughout December so if you forget to open a door one day you won’t miss out!
Cllr Stella Brock, Lead Councillor for Economy and Tourism, said:
“The calendar is a great way to promote local Exeter's local businesses while saving people money on their Christmas shopping. We have had positive feedback about his promotion with many people downloading the vouchers already.”
John Harvey, Exeter City Centre Manager, said:
“To date, City Centre businesses are reporting that trade is up on last year – which is welcome in the currently challenging national economic climate. I have no doubt that the calendar will help to further boost trade and it’s great to see so many independent stores participating with this initiative – helping to highlight the fantastic mix of retailers we have in Exeter.”
There is still time to find the perfect presents with late night shopping until 9pm on Thursdays and the last Park & Ride at 10pm and many city centre shops are open for longer hours during Christmas week.
There are also some of the festive markets that are taking place throughout the city. Castle Street offers a fantastic location for the Christmas Gift, Produce and Craft Markets throughout December. On Fore Street and South Street the Exeter Farmers’ Market takes place every Thursday and the Christmas Gift Market takes place at the same location every Friday and Saturday.
For more information about upcoming events and the online advent calendar pick up a copy of the essential Christmas guide from Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets or visit www.exeter.gov.uk/christmas.
Posted on: 4/12/2009