£7m investment in Exeter guildhall revealed.

Plans have been revealed on a new £7 million investment to Exeter’s Guildhall Shopping Centre.

The plans mark the first large investment in the centre since it was first built in 1972 and will modernise business premises in the centre.

The refurbished premises will be outfitted with features attractive to modern retailers and restaurants.

Exeter city centre manager John Harvey welcomed the news: “This is a really significant step for the city it will cement our position as the regional shopping centre of choice as well as our continued growth. It’s news that will be welcomed by residents, our shopping public and businesses as well.

“While it is about attracting new names into the city, it is also significant that the plans are for bringing in a broader range of types of businesses.  One of the consequences of the scheme would be to bring in further restaurant or cafe users and further strengthen the city centre’s evening economy, which would be a major step forward.

“I’m absolutely delighted and very much looking forward to the planning application being put in next year.”

The Guildhall’s owners, Aviva investors contracted  BDP UK to draw up plans including bringing terraced seating around the historic 12th century St Pancras church de, a rooftop terrace and a ‘green wall’, a wall completely covered in growing vegetation.

The plans will also see the High Street entrance enlarged and new set of business space added to the upper level. 

Simon Green, Associate Director, Aviva Investors, said: “We are investing for the future and creating a long term vision for the Guildhall Shopping Centre which will see it as a destination of choice for retailers, restaurant businesses and customers.

“Our plans are exciting and designed to maximise the impact of all the centre has to offer.

“Our aspiration is to create a ‘best in class’ retail and leisure destination which will further enhance what Exeter has to offer, develop the sort of space that innovative and attractive retail and leisure brands require and ultimately deliver to our customers an environment that they will enjoy and that will encourage them to keep coming back for more.”

Consultation with key stakeholders is still ongoing but work could begin in late 2014.
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Correction: The new designs are the result of work by BDP UK not Charles Fowler as previously reported