About Exeter Observer

Distribution & promotion

Exeter Observer’s publishing and promotional activities are aimed at new and existing audiences, contributors, supporters, members and investors as well as civil society actors and communities of interest across the city. A key aim is the development of relationships with all these stakeholders in order to inform, refine and transform the way Exeter Observer fulfils its mission.

Website

Exeter Observer’s website is its primary publishing platform. Its design is intended to communicate the masthead’s editorial standards and value propositions while avoiding the clutter, interstitials and noise which crowd out content on other local channels.

It was designed and developed by core team members and uses locally-executed code to enable access to a global content delivery network which integrates page caching, certificates and analytics. Compared with server-based publishing this approach is low-overhead, secure and resilient, providing fast page load times and enabling high search engine rankings.

Its design is continuously evolving as new content formats are explored and incorporated in its information architecture. Recent analysis of presentation patterns used by successful peer publications have prompted updates including masthead refinement and revised calls to action with increased use of high-impact colour, more legible typography and better use of images on handheld devices.

Social media

Twitter is Exeter Observer’s principal social media channel. It has been key to audience development, enabling leverage of positive network effects while demonstrating engagement and impact in a pseudo-public sphere. It has facilitated productive connections with community organisations, civil society stakeholders and other local networks, however recent changes following the company’s sale have prompted a review of its use.

We also post to Exeter Reddit and a recently-created Mastodon channel. We do not use any Meta services including Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and Messenger because its adverse impact on democracy and the public interest is incompatible with Exeter Observer’s values.

Email newsletters

Email newsletters help reach readers who are not regular social network users. Exeter Observer began publishing The Exeter Digest in April 2021. It initially included short-form content in addition to links to stories published on the website, then a twelve month review prompted a format change so all content is now published on the website and promoted in the newsletter.

This change significantly reduced newsletter production overheads, enabling more frequent publication and bespoke composition to showcase high value stories and promote calls to action to subscribers.

Flyers

Printed promotional materials also help reach audiences and stakeholders who are not regular social media users. Two formats have been explored: an A5 promotional flyer and an A4 page gatefold presented as a four-page A5 booklet containing recent story summaries.

Either can be distributed door to door or left in bundles at selected pick-up points. The former has a longer shelf life while the latter can be delivered door to door in areas in which highlighted stories are relevant, while having higher production overheads.

Resources are accordingly now focussed on distributing an updated A5 promotional flyer via a regular restock route that covers 30 selected locations which have been reduced from a longlist of 100 in trial drop-offs.

More about Exeter Observer

Exeter Observer is published by Exeter Observer Limited, Community Benefit Society No. 8435 registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014.

Our registered address is St Sidwell’s Community Centre, Sidwell Street, Exeter EX4 6NN.

Recent headlines
Recent headlines
Wonford Community Wellbeing Hub option seven plan crop

£1+ million for Wonford community hub project development but £7 million build finance not yet found

Proposed Heavitree Road bus lane bus priority signals

Bus corridor consultation presents more incremental changes to Exeter road network

Southgate development site heritage map

Secretary of State overturns council decision to waive Southgate site Environmental Impact Assessment

Devon County Council 2023-24 vs 2024-25 service delivery budgets bar graph

£50 million county council 2024-25 service delivery cuts concealed by £93 million costs increases

Stagecoach subsidiary operating companies 2022-23 pre-tax profits bar chart

Stagecoach South West posts largest losses in sector despite greatest growth in journey numbers

Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter cover image

Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter consultation skewed towards only one of five 'core tools'

Recent stories
Wonford Community Wellbeing Hub option seven plan crop

ANALYSIS  ⁄  COMMUNITY & SOCIETY

£1+ million for Wonford community hub project development but £7 million build finance not yet found

City council presented £750,000 'feasibility proposal' as progression of existing plans despite having to start again after three years to cut costs, with Exeter City Living awarded £550,000 project contract.

Proposed Heavitree Road bus lane bus priority signals

TRANSPORT & MOBILITY  ⁄  NEWS

Bus corridor consultation presents more incremental changes to Exeter road network

£2.4 million Heavitree and Pinhoe Road 'upgrades' have 'potential for an approximate four-minute journey time saving' at peak times along length of each corridor.

Southgate development site heritage map

NEWS  ⁄  PLANNING & PLACE

Secretary of State overturns council decision to waive Southgate site Environmental Impact Assessment

Proposals for up to 200 flats in high-rise tower blocks have potentially significant impacts on Exe Estuary avian flightpaths, Exeter Cathedral skyline, listed buildings and ancient city walls placing protected landscapes and heritage assets at risk.

Devon County Council 2023-24 vs 2024-25 service delivery budgets bar graph

ANALYSIS  ⁄  DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE

£50 million county council 2024-25 service delivery cuts concealed by £93 million costs increases

Figures essentially unaffected by budget scrutiny process during which councillors sought details of where and how cuts would fall but received few proper answers.

Stagecoach subsidiary operating companies 2022-23 pre-tax profits bar chart

ANALYSIS  ⁄  TRANSPORT & MOBILITY

Stagecoach South West posts largest losses in sector despite greatest growth in journey numbers

Lowest year on year revenue rise compounded by above average staffing costs increase as £2 bus fare cap continues to prop up passenger demand.

Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter cover image

ANALYSIS  ⁄  PLANNING & PLACE

Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter consultation skewed towards only one of five 'core tools'

Private developers' forum and other major components of new charter not mentioned in council communications, but transparency and new 'culture of openness' to 'help build trust in the planning system' emphasised throughout.

On Our Radar
More stories
Empty studios at The Gorge

COMMENT  ⁄  PLANNING & PLACE

The Gorge stands 70% empty nearly six months after opening as mounting council tax liability looms

Council development director claims developer interest demonstrates need for co-living in Exeter but works have yet to start on all other such schemes.

Spruce Close & Celia Crescent development aerial view

NEWS  ⁄  PLANNING & PLACE

City council approves plans for controversial greenfield site housing

Key details remain unresolved including future ownership and management of green space and public access restrictions during construction period.

Longbrook Street student accommodation block illustrative elevation

ANALYSIS  ⁄  PLANNING & PLACE

Top to bottom King Billy student block redesign waved through as minor variation to consented plans

Council throws out Design Review Panel interventions and reneges on commitment to planning committee while developers claim unauthorised destruction of protected medieval wall justified on safety grounds.

St Bridget Nurseries illustrative layout

NEWS  ⁄  PLANNING & PLACE

Judge quashes planning permission for 350 homes at St Bridget Nurseries in Old Rydon Lane

High Court judgement finds city council did not properly discharge duties or take material considerations into account, council officer seriously misled planning committee and county council failed in statutory local highway authority role.

Illustrative elevation facing St Luke's campus

NEWS  ⁄  PLANNING & PLACE

Heavitree Road police station & magistrates court redevelopment appeal dismissed

Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner and offshore development partner sent back to drawing board after attempt to overturn city council decision to refuse two huge student/co-living blocks fails.

Exeter City Council allotment fees increases 2016 to 2024 line graph

ANALYSIS  ⁄  CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT

Council plans huge allotment fees increases to claw back cash from 1,500 city gardeners and growers

Plot holders provided with incomplete picture as consultation held which does not comply with council's own charter and delayed scrutiny report that omits key survey findings suggests council aims to turn profit from allotment provision.

, updated

Spotlight
Empty studios at The Gorge

The Gorge stands 70% empty nearly six months after opening as mounting council tax liability looms

Council development director claims developer interest demonstrates need for co-living in Exeter but works have yet to start on all other such schemes.

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