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Exeter shopping centre is making major changes

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Exeter shopping centre is making major changes

A new chapter is getting underway in one of Exeter’s main shopping areas. The Guildhall Shopping Centre is making some major changes as it adapts to the ever-changing face of retail.

Like many shopping centres and high streets across the country, the Guildhall felt the impact of pandemic as many major retailers chose to downsize or close altogether. For Nikki Fairclough, there have been fair few challenges since she started her role as Marketing and Customer Experience Manager in January 2020.




“Coming out of Covid has changed everything,” she said. “Some shopping centres in other cities have really struggled. In Exeter, we’re in a very privileged position where we have bounced out of Covid better than ever before. I think the approach was that we need to have spaces that serve our community. I went to Bristol not too long ago and was shocked by the amount vacant units.”

It’s no secret that the Guildhall does still have its fair share of vacant shop units, with some having been empty for longer than others. The former Argos store is still displaying ‘to let’ signs on its shopfront, more than four years after it closed for good. Nikki explains that it is up to Sainsbury’s what will eventually happen with the unit.

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As for other vacant shops, plans are already in place to get them back up and running. The former Inspired Rooms furniture store is set to become a homeware ‘pop-up’ store, meanwhile House of Tweed is also a temporary feature at the other end of the shopping centre.


Following the relocation of Grape Tree to the former Game store, the now empty unit is undergoing a refurbishment. It is due to go back on the market in just a few weeks time and, while a new permanent retailer is sought, it will become temporary home to a string of independent stores.

Nikki said: “We don’t count Argos as a vacant because it is actually part of Sainsbury’s so it’s up to Sainsbury’s to make a decision as to where they want to take that.

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