Work begins on Exeter's £52 million revamp

VIDEO: The leisure complex and bus station is expected to be completed in around two years

Work has started on a major city centre redevelopment which will see a new leisure complex and bus station created in the heart of Exeter.

The redevelopment of the current bus station site is being funded by Exeter City Council. Contracts have been signed and work is now underway on site.

The leisure complex, called St Sidwell’s Point, and the new Exeter Bus Station, are expected to be completed in around two years.

A formal ground breaking ceremony took place today (Friday, January 18), to mark the start of work.

Council leader Pete Edwards says: “It has been a long road to get to this point and I am delighted that work has now started on site. Everyone knows that the existing bus station needs replacing, and a brand new leisure centre and swimming pool is desperately needed for Exeter.

“This development is of the highest quality, and will set the tone for the wider redevelopment which is planned at the site.

The vision, which has been backed by business leaders in the city, includes:

• The potential for a multi-purpose performance venue, with a capacity of around 1,200 seated or up to 2,500 standing
• 250 housing units for sale on the current Civic Centre site, and 250 units of housing built to rent
• A ten-storey, four star hotel with 175 rooms, and a budget hotel
• Almost 40,000 sq ft of retail units fronting Sidwell Street
• The potential to rehouse the relocated Civic Centre
• A new Office Quarter, with units over eight storeys  
• More than 15,000 sq ft of food and drink outlets 
• Flexible working space alongside the leisure centre
• Public realm enhancements – a new square in Paris Street and new civic space