TOP STORIES
A379 bridges replacement plan set to wreck Exeter Ship Canal, heritage harbour and towpath active travel aspirations
Department for Transport project cost cap defeats purpose of investment as Devon County Council consults on design which will build in routine traffic disruption for 60+ years on route intended to deliver strategic road network resilience. Read more here.
Exeter UCU declares trade dispute over University of Exeter job cuts plan
Union threatens strike action if university does not abandon scheme to make 150 academic staff redundant while putting more than 500 staff at risk and jeopardising 85% of humanities, arts and social sciences faculty. Read more here.
Former South West Water CEO receives £2.8 million – including two bonuses – following Brixham parasite outbreak
Pennon Group report shows Susan Davy received almost £6.8 million – including “personal security-related allowance” – during five years and five months as company CEO before December 2025 departure – then another £845,000. Read more here.
£19.6 million Exeter Chiefs takeover deal complete
Subsidiary of US-based Cannae Holdings buys Sandy Park stadium club from Exeter Rugby Group following vote in favour of proposed takeover by club members. Read more here.
EXETER IN BRIEF
Whipton Post Office to close with Exeter Post Office under threat
Whipton Post Office, a counter service in the Pinhoe Road Morrisons Daily store, is to close permanently on 14 August, when the store will also close its doors. More here.
Matford Brook Academy main building to be demolished and replaced
Matford Brook Academy’s main building, which has never been used by pupils, is to be demolished and replaced following a review which found it has major structural faults. More here.
ON OUR RADAR
Seasonal meals and nature talks // St Sidwell’s Community Centre
A series of talks covering companion planting, butterflies, Ukrainian cooking, seed saving and fungi with shared seasonal meals. More details here.
Theatre in the Park // Rougemont Gardens
Al fresco summer season with Shakespeare, spoken-word poetry, puppetry and physical comedy. More details here.
Sidwella Day // St Sidwell’s Community Centre
Annual celebration includes art, gardening, zine-making, Colombian snacks and Ethiopian coffee ceremony. More details here.
First Thursdays // Gandy Street
Monthly Gandy Street evening events include an indoor market, food and drink, street entertainment and more. More details here.
Siege of Exeter // St Nicholas Priory
An historical re-enactment set during the 1549 Prayer Book Rebellion. More details here.
BELOW THE FOLD
Exeter city centre strategy evasions and expediencies echo cultural strategy failings
Just 85 invitation-only workshop attendees consulted during development of yet another city council strategy without a delivery plan. Read more here.
St Petrock’s homelessness survey finds increase in women sleeping rough in Exeter
Charity says women’s homelessness often hidden from view because of “fears around safety, harassment, and gender-based violence” in report following publication of city council snapshot count which recorded five-fold rise in rough sleeper numbers. Read more here.
First phase capital cost of legacy Exeter City Living Whipton Gardens project to exceed £12.5 million – £364,000 per flat
Financing for second phase yet to be found as adjacent Rennes House demolition costs rise to £1 million and Exeter City Living reports year-end loss in residual Guildhall flats management role. Read more here.
