Leigh Curtis

Leigh Curtis is deputy editor of Exeter Observer and a director of its publisher Exeter Observer Limited.

She writes many of our community and culture stories and also contributes to news, features and investigations.

Leigh holds a degree in Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London, and leads on design and marketing as well as Exeter Observer’s financial and administrative management.

She is also an accredited UK press card holder and a member of the National Union of Journalists.

Stories by Leigh Curtis

Corner of Fore Street and West Street with St Mary Steps church in the background

Planning inspector upholds decision to refuse fifth additional storey in build-to-rent scheme above Crankhouse Coffee

Twelve year-old permission to add one full and one stepped-back storey to West Street elevation and remove all commercial space nevertheless remains extant.

Suspended Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Will Kerr

Criminal investigation into suspended Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable dropped

Will Kerr to remain suspended while IOPC resumes previously paused conduct investigation and interim chief constable James Vaughan continues to lead force.

2024 duration in hours of monitored spill events at water company overflow sites bar graph

South West Water bills rise by a third following worst performance in sector with 550,000 hours of sewage spills

Tariffs increase as Environment Agency publishes damning data after South West Water owner Pennon Group issues £24.5 million in dividends to shareholders.

Exeter Post Office in Guildhall Shopping Centre WHSmith

Sidwell Street Post Office to close as WHSmith shops sale raises risk of Exeter city centre counter service disappearance

Closure follows loss of Exeter’s last Crown Post Office in Bedford Street, since when all city branches operated by franchisees or independent businesses.

Average number of days taken by OPCC to complete a complaint review bar chart

Devon & Cornwall Police complaints handling “not good enough by a long way”

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez criticises force for poor performance but statutory report also finds poor commissioner’s office complaint appeals performance.

Edward Tripp

TUESDAY 29 APRIL 2025

City Slam 2025

Exeter City of Literature, Taking the Mic and Spork! co-host a third city-wide spoken-word poetry competition.

EXETER PHOENIX

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