So, am I happy with the current Exeter City Centre vacancy rates? No
…but can I find positives about the current Exeter trading position? Yes

It is frustrating that we have seen a worsening of our City Centre vacancy rate in the post-Christmas period – but, to be clear, it is a marginal worsening (only six more vacant units in the City Centre as a whole).

The vacancy survey is only ever a snapshot of what’s happening in our City Centre. Since the vacancy survey was undertaken, we have announced that two new names are coming to the city – Sony Centre and Mountain Warehouse. Both Sony and Mountain Warehouse are strong brands that will add yet more diversity to the Exeter retail offer, more customer choice. Both of the High Street units that are being taken have been empty for more than twelve months.

There are many more investors looking at the City Centre and I have no doubt that we will see the serious assessment of Exeter as a place in which to invest being translated in to new store announcements over the coming quarter.

Of course I can’t, and frankly wouldn’t want to, predict what may happen to the wider retail economy over the coming 6 to 12 months, although the indications are that we have some way to go before emerging from what’s been a very challenging period. National economic pressures may well result in more store closures in Exeter, but I am more optimistic than ever about our resilience as a City to succeed in tough times. I do believe, and believe with a passion, that the investment we’ve delivered in Exeter over the recent past has helped, and will continue to help, Exeter fare better than many other towns and cities in challenging economic times.

We’re far from out of the woods – but we can at least begin to look forward with some optimism.