Princesshay shopping centre is seeking permission from Exeter City Council for 27 outdoor market stalls for nearly four months each year for the next five years.
It has applied for full planning permission to site up to 27 market stalls in four pedestrian areas in the shopping centre for up to 20 days in April and May, up to 42 days in July and August and up to 56 days in November, December and January each year – a total of 118 days.
The stalls would be sited in Eastgate, Bedford Street, in front of the empty former Debenhams department store building and in Princesshay Square in front of several empty restaurant units.
Princesshay temporary seasonal market stalls in Princesshay Square
Princesshay shopping centre has already sited market stalls and food outlets in the application locations in recent years but the application doesn’t make clear whether it had planning permission for this which it is seeking to renew, or extend, or both.
The application does, however, say that the shopping centre wants “to build upon and regularise their existing ad-hoc market and event space provision and so allow better forward planning and marketing alongside other activities in the city centre”.
The application proposes 17 chalets, six food and drink stalls, a faux double-decker bus selling confectionery and a “seasonal centre piece and two seating areas for a bar in Princesshay Square”.
It adds that the number of units and their positions would vary depending on “demand and time of year”.
Princesshay temporary seasonal market stall in Eastgate
The Princesshay market stalls would add to – and compete with – a range of other outdoor markets in the city.
Several of these are seasonal, taking place during the festive period, including Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market, Magdalen Road Christmas Fair and St Thomas Winter Market, which is on hiatus until next year.
Other outdoor markets operate throughout the year including the monthly Brillsville Market in St Thomas and Quayside Farmers’ Market in Piazza Terracina.
Fore Street Flea takes place four times per year and a small farmers market, run by Exeter City Council, is held at the junction of South Street and Fore Street every Thursday.
Exeter Cathedral also hosts an Exeter Independent Market in Cathedral Green in the spring and summer months.
Princesshay temporary seasonal market stalls in Bedford Street
Princesshay shopping centre was acquired by Mike Ashley majority-owned Frasers Group, formerly known as Sports Direct International, for a reported £80 million in October 2024.
The Crown Estate and asset manager Nuveen each previously owned 50% stakes in the 400,000 square feet retail complex, which accommodates 60 retail units.
At the time Frasers Group said it intended to “enhance the shopping and leisure offer in Exeter city centre by introducing elevated retail formats and improving the current tenant mix”.
Frasers Group Paris Street and Sidwell Street leaseholds after Princesshay sale. Source: Exeter City Council.
It subsequently emerged that the sale included Paris Street and Sidwell Street retail and office leaseholds granted to The Crown Estate and Nuveen during development of the since-stalled Exeter City Council Citypoint scheme.
The £300 million Citypoint scheme followed the September 2017 failure of private sector-led redevelopment proposals for the site which were supposed to be delivered in parallel with the publicly-funded construction of the bus station and Sidwell’s Point leisure centre.
It was presented as an extension of the existing Princesshay shopping centre across Paris Street, which was to be closed to motor traffic as part of the redevelopment.
Princesshay shopping centre in 2020
Princesshay’s largest retail unit has been sitting empty since Debenhams vacated its premises after entering administration in April 2020. Several adjacent units also closed, some reopening under new management then closing again.
The shopping centre buildings were completed in 2007, controversially replacing a 1950s shopping centre built as part of the post-war Exeter Phoenix redevelopment plan.
Comments on the Princesshay market stalls application can be submitted via the Exeter City Council website until Sunday 7 December and via email to consultations@exeter.gov.uk.
The application will be determined by council planning officers in due course.
