A host of new restaurants for Exeter

A host of new restaurants are set to open in Exeter during the next 12 months.

Aviva Investors, the owners of the Guildhall Shopping Centre, are in talks which should see the first four or five new names, in what will be known as Queen Street, announced soon.

Artigiano in Exeter High Street is one of the names in the frame and is eyeing up the former Poundland building in Market Square with plans for a 'different concept' sophisticated late drinking lounge.

Simon Green of Aviva Investors said: “We are on the verge of announcing the first four or five restaurant occupiers to come into the scheme, which is really exciting.

“It’s taken a little bit longer than expected because we want to get the mix right between some really high quality national and local operators. This is an opportunity to create a legacy in Exeter for the benefit of not only our investors but the city and the public as a whole.

“Everyone has been very positive about Exeter, both national and regional brands.

“We always knew there were regional occupiers keen to get into Exeter, but what we have been even more pleasantly surprised by is the quality and volume of regional and national restaurants who are seeking representation in Exeter.

“Most of the operators we are talking to have half a dozen or more restaurants but are still regional in nature, but we are also talking to operators who maybe only have one or two premises at the moment and Exeter is the natural place for them to expand into.”