Exeter's exciting new monthly Innovations Market

The Guildhall Shopping Centre is hosting the first markets in Exeter to truly celebrate the innovation and creativity of local designers and entrepreneurs – a concept which mirrors the findings of the Portas Review of the High Street published by Mary Portas late last year. Exeter Innovations Market launched in the shopping centre on Friday 27th April, where it will now be held every month for 3 days on the last weekend of the month. The market will focus on quality, choice and innovation and will be a showcase for creative people to bring new and exciting products, designs and food to the city. It will take place in Market Square & throughout the Guildhall Shopping Centre each month Organisers are lining up an impressive group of creative businesses for all the Exeter Innovations Markets, and there is space for others who meet the exacting criteria for taking part. Businesses signed up so far include: Bernice Designs, specialising in personally designed silver jewellery incorporating high quality semi-precious stones; Isabella Mozzarella, creating handmade pizzas using local ingredients and cooked in a mobile wood oven; Lazy Days, high quality knitwear; Ransom and Rumble, products and accessories for children; Gisellery, handmade bowls, dishes, clocks and more made from fused glass, polymer clay and semi-precious stones; University of Exeter Student Guild; Beaujangles, paintings, prints and jewellery; From the Westcountry, delicious South West produce; True Grit Sport Company, specialising in health, sport and nutrition; Barry Robinson Photography; Little Stitch, handmade toys and accessories; Exeter Chiropractors; Athenian Olive, products and food made from olive oil; Hub, quirky home accessories; and Change of a Dress, selling ‘pre-loved’ clothing, shoes and accessories. Karen Smith, one of the organisers of the Exeter Innovations Market, said: “This is not a craft, vintage or flea market but rather a regular event that celebrates creativity and innovation. Our acceptance criteria are quite strict, but we hope that by operating in this way we will be able to present Exeter with a market that is truly new to the city and which complements its existing retail market.” She added: “We are keen to hear from creative and innovative individuals with new and exciting products or designs who want to take part in the Exeter Innovations Market – we firmly believe that the market will create a unique selling opportunity for them.” Andrew McNeilly, Centre Manager at the Guildhall Shopping Centre, commented: “The Portas Review marked a key note in the future development of the High Street, and the Exeter Innovations Market meets many of the criteria set out by Mary Portas for making a city’s retail centre exciting, vibrant and engaging. We are delighted to welcome the market to the Guildhall Shopping Centre.”