Five year plan to improve city centre

Appearance, safety, connectivity and improved city centre living all form part of a new five year plan for Exeter that will "shape the heart of the city".

An online survey has been launched by Exeter City Council where people can share their views on the strategy which covers 2026 to 2031.

Other themes within the plan include improving destination offerings and the daytime and night-time economies, including bringing empty shops back into use.

The city council says the aim is to bring together communities, businesses, stakeholders and the authority itself to reinforce what the it says was "one of the best city centres in the UK".

The latest strategy action plan stresses the importance of the city's parks, gardens and trees which make it more attractive, benefit nature and improve climate resilience, organisers said.

Key actions will include better street cleaning and litter removal, more planters, more greenery and more street decorations.

The strategy also aims to make the city centre inclusive, welcoming and safe at all times of day and night. Police and other agencies would work to reduce anti-social behaviour, and there will be improvements to lighting and CCTV.

Measures will be taken to make the area more accessible to people with limited mobility.

"The city will be a magnet for businesses attracting and retaining entrepreneurs, students and young people, fostering innovation and entrepreneurialism," according to the strategy.

The proposals include a new cultural strategy built on Exeter's UNESCO City of Literature status, aiming to promote public art, performances and festivals.

It is also hoped building on the Visit Exeter branding will increase the number of visitors to the city.

The number of business events would also be increased under the plans, and there would be better signage and mapping around the city centre.

In terms of connectivity, the strategy document said the city would be "easy and pleasurable to move around". Pedestrian and cycle connections would be improved, along with public transport hubs, it added.

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