Exeter prepares to reopen

Many stores back on Monday

Exeter City Council says preparations are well underway to help ensure the city centre is safe and welcoming when many stores reopen their doors next week. On Monday non-essential retailers will be allowed to reopen for the first time since the end of March, once they have completed a risk assessment. Hospitality businesses like cafes and restaurants can reopen from 4 July.

The council is making both temporary and permanent changes to ensure the city centre remains a vibrant place to live, work, socialise, visit, shop and work.  Social distancing measures will be in place to ensure the safety of shoppers, including outside stores to assist with queues. Stencils will be marked outside shops and throughout the city centre, signs will be put up to help people keep two metres apart and some narrow streets will operate a one way system.

Temporary signage will support social distancing in the city centre as well as in the neighbourhood centres of Topsham, the Quay and Piazza Terracina, Heavitree, Cowick Street and Magdalen Road.

City Council Leader Phil Bialyk said: “The city centre is crucial for Exeter, and we want to do everything we can to make sure everyone using it has a safe and pleasant experience. It is good news that more shops are starting to reopen, and I know that a lot of work is taking place among a lot of different organisations working in partnership to welcome people back safely.”

It is not yet clear how many stores will reopen on June 15. Some larger stores, as well as some independents, have indicated a phased return to reopening. The city centre preparations are being coordinated by a recovery group, led by the city council and its partners, including Exeter BID, Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Exeter College.
John Laramy, principle of Exeter College and chair of the City Centre Recovery Group, said: “Exeter is a retail and visitor destination of choice; therefore it has been a real priority get the city open again, safely, with outdoor social spaces and in line with the current Government guidance.  I would like to thank everyone who has supported this endeavour – we truly are ‘stronger together’.”

The group aims to safely reopen the city centre to support workers, shoppers, students, visitors and bring investment back into Exeter, to 'Build Back Better'. The Recovery Group aims to achieve:
• A safe re-opening of the city centre
• A steady return to sustainable footfall levels
• Stable vacancy rates 
• An increase in active travel modes, when travelling into the city centre
• Dwell time returns to sustainable levels

More information on support for businesses in available on the City Council’s website https://exeter.gov.uk/clean-safe-city/community-safety/coronavirus/business-and-employers