Economy & Enterprise
Exeter Business Improvement District seeks third five-year term to April 2030
Eligible city centre businesses to decide by ballot whether InExeter should continue providing services and support in return for 1.25% levy charged against premises with £7,500+ rateable value.
Frasers buys Princesshay shopping centre as part of wider retail space acquisition
Mike Ashley-owned sports goods and retail group buys 400,000 square feet centre outright from The Crown Estate and Nuveen for a reported £80 million.
Paternoster House flats described as “blueprint for Exeter’s future” marketed for rent at up to £3,500 per month
Standard minimum earnings eligibility threshold to rent each of four city centre flats so far completed ranges from £71,500 to £104,000 per annum, three times Exeter median wages, while best-paid 10% in Devon earn £52,400.
Council sinks additional £1.25m into struggling Exeter Science Park as company unable to repay £7m debts
Serial scrutiny failures continue as emergency meeting held to increase city council exposure to joint venture to more than £2 million on top of £450,000 project costs plus £950,000 guarantee but rescue plan risks repeating earlier strategic mistakes.
City council gives Exeter Chiefs permission to hold Sandy Park concerts with 15,500 attendees
Permanent consent for six weekend events between 1 May and 15 July each year with amplified music to 10.30pm follows four trial concerts with audiences of just 3,500.
Exeter employment rate second lowest in South West for second year running
Economic inactivity levels related to large student and retiree population remain high, creating recruitment challenges from healthcare to refuse collection, but council celebrates top retirement destination ranking as ‘more good news’.