Public consultation on plans for a new 1,200-seater venue in Exeter

A report last year concluded that there was potential for a multi-purpose, city centre entertainment venue, with the Corn Exchange site in Fore Street being the preferred option.

But if Exeter City Council builds one it would require a substantial public subsidy and could not be funded entirely by public money – with a ‘reasonable estimate’ of its cost being between £40million and £55million.

A range of possible options need to be considered and detailed feasibility studies would be required before any commitment can be made.

The city council are currently asking for your views on the report, and Councillor Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture said, “The report emphasised that new venues like this cannot be funded entirely by public money, but we intend to explore all options and opportunities. The report is very comprehensive and we want everyone to have a say on the findings and to give us their thoughts on the type of entertainment venue that they and Exeter need.”

Based on research gathered from other completed performance venues, a reasonable estimate for this stage of planning for a new entertainment venue (assuming a 1,200-seat capacity and built in a single phase) would be between £40m and £55m (excluding land, site clearance and preparation, preliminaries and external works), the report says.

The consultation will run until July 31, 2018, and the survey can be completed online at https://exeter.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/consultations-and-petitions/new-entertainment-venue-consultation/.