John HarveyCity Centre Manager

‘Exeter – Challenges & Opportunities’

Presentation to Rotary Club of Otter Valley

Last decade – period of major change, renewal & investment…

Record of investment second to none within the regional context…

Low vacancy rates… But no basis for complacency going forward… The most significant squeeze on public finances

in decades… Re-gearing of the relationship between business

and public authorities…

Current Position

A strong platform on which to build… Document will represent a starting point for

discussion/dialogue/debate – wide-ranging consultation exercise to be delivered…

Timetable… No ‘absolutes’ at the start of the process… Strategy will be owned by the City Centre

Management Partnership, with widespread buy-in essential…

New City Centre Strategy

Mapping out a bright future...

First impressions…

Moving-on from a focus on the daytime and retail economy…

‘Extending the day’… Connecting ‘day’ & ‘evening’ economies…

‘Safe City’… Welcoming to all… …at all hours

Positioning to meet the challenges of e-commerce & mobile technology…

Some Key Issues (1)…

Maintaining the momentum of change, renewal & investment…

Maintaining competitive advantage…

Role for business…

Being honest about our weaknesses & threats…

Some Key Issues (2)…

Engaging a wide range of groups Ideas… Imagination… What’s the perspective of our visitors…

…our shoppers…our workers and colleagues

What sort of City Centre do we want? There’s no problem with work streams that are

‘uncomfortable’ & challenging…

Issues as we look to map out the future…

John Harvey Contacts:

e-mail – john.harvey@exeter.gov.uk

Mobile – 07795 438 297

Twitter – www.twitter.com/exeterccm