Media release | For immediate release
Study to look at whether Exeter needs new entertainment venue
Work to assess whether Exeter needs a new entertainment venue in the city is about to begin.
Exeter City Council is inviting external advisers to carry out a needs assessment for a new 1,000 minimum capacity venue.
The Council currently runs the Exeter Corn Exchange, which has a capacity of just 500. However, leases on the Corn Exchange and surrounding properties are set to end in 2020 and last year the local authority announced that it would be carrying out a review of South Street and the Corn Exchange block.
The City Council is open minded about the future of the area and wants to examine its options.
A New Entertainment Venue Advisory Group has been set up and now the Council is inviting companies to pitch for carrying out a review.
Among the areas that the needs assessment will look at are:
• Reviewing current performance venues in Exeter
• Evaluating current and likely future demand for a new large-scale entertainment venue (minimum 1,000 capacity)
• Identifying the constraints of a new venue, including costs, locations and competitors
• Engaging with funding partners including Arts Council England, about the likelihood of support.
Cllr Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy, said: “This is just the beginning and it’s really important that we carry out a thorough assessment of what we have, what we need and the costs and other factors associated with providing a new entertainment for Exeter.
Peter Goodwin, of the Theatre for Exeter Group, said “We’re pleased to be working closely with the City Council and aim to play an important part in the consultation process so that the views of our supporters are made known.
“Our research over the last few years and our report published in February 2014 will be made available to the consultants when they are appointed.
“We will study the results of the appraisal and make detailed comments on the recommendations put forward by the consultants.”
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