ON OUR RADAR

Fore Street festive celebration

Independent traders host a late night shopping event including Sacred Grounds Winter Fayre and Bookbag’s third birthday party.

Leigh Curtis

Fore Street traders are hosting a late night shopping event on Thursday 7 December with an indie art market, street food and live music while also celebrating three years of independent bookshop Bookbag.

Vegan cafe Sacred Grounds is hosting a Winter Fayre in McCoys Arcade with jewellery, ceramics, skincare products, art prints and cards for sale.

Plant-based food, hot toddies and mulled wine will be available while jazz duo Blush play live music.

Fore Street festive celebration Thursday 7 December 2023 Fore Street Mccoys Arcade Sacred Grounds Bookbag

Independent bookshop Bookbag will also celebrate its third birthday with music from a live DJ.

Opened by Charlie and Malcolm Richards in McCoys Arcade in December 2020, the shop hosts community events throughout the year including readings and book signings.

It stocks books from mainstream and independent publishers that are focussed on art, music, environmental and art writing and stories by LGBTQ+ writers and writers of colour.

It also stocks some vinyl records.

Subscribe to The Exeter Digest - Exeter Observer's essential free email newsletter

Your personal information will be processed and stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy

The Fore Street festive celebration is from 6.30-9.30pm on Thursday 7 December 2023.

The Sacred Grounds Winter Fayre and Bookbag’s third birthday celebration are taking place in McCoys Arcade and other Fore Street shops will also stay open into the evening.


Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Aerial view of Wonford community learning centre and sports centre

Plans for unfunded £7 million Wonford community hub redevelopment approved

Exeter City Council approves own planning application to demolish, rebuild and part-refurbish existing community and sports facilities beside Ludwell Valley Park.

Existing Exeter area parliamentary and district council boundaries map

Will Devon’s eleven councils find common ground as local authority reorganisation deadline looms?

A county-wide consensus is gaining traction with most Devon councils already on board and only Exeter City Council standing in its way while County Hall has yet to make up its mind.

Exeter bus corridors map keyframe

Devon County Council plans more bus priority schemes aimed at improving journey times in Exeter arterial roads

Schemes in Alphington Road, Barrack Road, Cowley Bridge Road, Honiton Road, Topsham Road and at Exe Bridges gyratory to follow Cowick Street, Heavitree Road, Pinhoe Road and New North Road changes.

Grace Road Fields Exeter Energy plant main building indicative render

Exeter Energy plant replaces rationale for Grace Road Fields location near River Exe with reliance on air source heat pumps

Developer nevertheless seeks planning permission to build in Riverside Valley Park, claiming public open space “not bound” by local plan policy, as scheme ambition and city council environmental leadership claims begin to drain away.

Heavitree and Whipton Active Streets Trial scheme map

Devon County Council admits Heavitree & Whipton Active Streets trial led to “lack of trust” in County Hall decision-making

Focus groups held following termination of controversial trial find broad support for safer travel but also reveal perception of “downward spiral” in Exeter highways management while county council confirms it has no plans for new schemes in area.

Devon County Council leader James McInnes

Devon County Council plan to postpone local elections fails as government rejects devolution fast-track application

County council leader James McInnes sought ministerial approval for proposals despite Devon falling short of devolution white paper eligibility criteria.