Bars and restaurants leading Exeter's revival

WATCH: Chamber of Commerce positive for future

New bars and restaurants are contributing to a revival of city centre life in Exeter.

Life in Devon's capital is picking up again now lockdown restrictions have eased. 

Among them, upmarket restaurant The Ivy, a favourite of celebs in London's Covent Garden, is getting ready to welcome diners soo. They've started their pre-opening publicity, with a stunt on Cathedral Green this week.

Exeter Chamber of Commerce is positive about the contribution of the food and drink sector. Director Ann Hunter says: "Hospitality gives us the opportunity to socialise, interact and connect, and I think that's something we've all been missing over the past 14 months.

"Hospitality draws footfall into the city, people get to experience the city and then also encourages longer dwell-time so hopefully then has an impact on retail spend in the city."

Major brands have left Exeter for one reason or another. Carluccios and Debenhams, for example, have closed nationally. Entrepreneurs are taking their place.

Harry Rush, general manager at the 93 Pizzeria and Cocktail Lounge in Exeter says this could be a good time for them.

The greatest difficulty facing many businesses is the lack of available staff. Exeter is a centre of employment for many more people than has living here who are 'economically active' - which generally means of working age. It relies on people living in surrounding areas commuting to the city.

This video report, from BBC Spotlight, starts by looking at how the number of shoppers in Plymouth is down 30 per cent in Plymouth on pre-pandemic levels.