Economy & Enterprise

Economy & Enterprise

InExeter Business Improvement District operational area map crop

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.

Princesshay shopping centre

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 scaffolding

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.

Exeter Science Park main building

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.

South West area employment rates 2012 to 2023 line graph

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’.

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