Public engagement

Exmouth needs a face lift! would be fantastic to make it the Newquay of kite surfing.
The town centre is poor for shopping, its all charity shops

We love the beach and go most weeks in the summer months, but never venturing into the town – it only has about 5 decent rest…

Hi Good session at Exmouth last night. Having thought about it last night I felt the need to reinforce a number of points that came out last night.
1. The estuary site is separated from the town by the railway but more important Marine Way. Looking at old maps prior to Marine Way being built, the railway station was much more part of the town. As neither the railway nor the road are going to be moved (and the separation is reinforced by the bund), it seems to me that to give the estuary site some coherence, it would be useful for the it to be 'designated in general terms' as a watersports, recreational area to provide facilities that would welcome, make it convenient for and encourage both visitors and residents (eg there are no facilities for kite/wind surfers at present and even car and trailer parking is difficult). We need to attract and make Exmouth active welcoming for other types of visitors as well as the oldies in coaches. Also if it were child friendly, parents could drop off their children there and shop in the town. Shopping facilities and businesses on the estuary site should therefore reflect the needs of these recreation users – there is a chandlers at the marina but cycle hire, cycle repair, shops for kite surfers etc + marine businesses in Langerwehe Way for boat repair etc would mean that people could get the services they required near to the area they are using.
As Exmouth is such a separated town – eg the sea front, the estuary and the town centre, for people to be able to identify a purpose for the estuary site would be an advantage.

2. A major rationale for ASDA was that it would attract additional shoppers into the town. If attracting a different range of shoppers into Exmouth (especially the under 55s) and therefore to revitalising the town centre is still an implicit part of the town centre renewal then the siting of additional retail outlets seems very important. I used to live near Southampton and the opening of West Quay blighted the top of the town, as with John Lewis moving to West Quay from the top of the town, there was less reason for people to go up there. It strikes me that something similar is happening with Drakes Circus in Plymouth. The areas furthest away (unless there is another draw) are less used. It strikes me that in both cities the malls are not properly integrated into the existing town system. Drakes has no real connection with the grid pattern of the rest of the city centre. In Southampton there were three closed malls – one Eastgate was (when we moved 4 years ago) in sharp decline, as it was so far from West Quay and again none of them related in any coherent way to the architecture or design principles behind the highstreet. I don't know Exeter that well but Princess Hay does seem to 'fit' into the existing streets and so is a much more comfortable and pleasant place to explore.
As Exmouth is so 'disjointed' already it seems to me that unless it is part of the thought out strategy to reduce the number of outlying shops or that they merely be used as parades for local residents, the siting of any 'draw' shops should be carefully assessed so that they don't have the effect of 'withering' areas of the shopping centre because the centre of gravity has moved too far away. The top of Rolle street and Exeter Road are particularly vulnerable. Part of the kerfuffle about moving the library is the fear that it will reduce shopping in Exeter Street by making it difficult to shop and use the library.

3. Obviously one of the key areas is ensuring that people are able to navigate their way around the town seamlessly. As you know this is not possible at present. Also there are many attractions in the town – from both the built and natural environment. We have the blue plaque system but there are no physical means of following them. A friend was in Cadiz and they had different colours painted on the pavement to guide people to different areas – historic, shopping etc. The Exe festival was on the Maer and we used bird footprints stenciled on the pavements to guide people to it. As Exmouth is a jokey town (lots of dressing up and doesn't see itself as twee or snobbish – (Sidmouth is disparaged for this and we all fear Exmouth will end up with the same age profile), fun ways of navigating the town would fit the brand – hence coloured mobiles on the fairy lights as well as solar panels

4. We want to attract young entrepeneurs and small businesses to the town. As many businesses are based on intellectual content it doesn't matter where they are physically as long as the communications are good. This would be enhanced if we were generating our own electricity – through tidal etc – especially if the lights start to go out as is anticipated in 2016. Exmouth with its estuary and seafront provides an attractive life style for young people but also is a great place for families. It seems to me that the 'friendly not class oriented or taking itself too seriously' theme is very important in branding.
PS I am secretary of the ECA but these are my personal views

Before anything else, you need to get your maps fully up to date. Although it has a Crown Copyright date of 2009, the London Inn Study Plan map is some years old. The Job Centre, for example, closed three years ago, while the public house on Albion Street closed four years ago and has been converted into flats. This lack of up-to-date knowledge of the area doesn't inspire confidence.

Please, please take on board the very obvious preference, expressed by the vast majority of respondents to “Vision for Exmouth” that the estuary-side should NOT be an area for commercial development; that it is a unique site and offers the opportunity for a world-class Visitor Centre honouring its setting and educating locals and visitors alike about our heritage from the river, estuary and Jurassic coast. Close to the transport hub (which could/should be improved), marina/harbour and with first class views this site must be preserved for such a project. The building of supermarkets and the like must simply not be permitted anywhere nearer to this area than is currently the case.
Develop the London Inn site with sensitivity to the needs, survival and future prosperity of the town's smaller independent shops, which in years to come will become more and more – rather than less – important within the context of changing poulation and climate.
Create development which will enhance, not threaten, the town centre, its inhabitants and its future tourists. Many very carefully researched ideas have been developed by various different agencies and parties, including the Exmouth Community Association. Please consult fully with those bodies – and take note of their findings and suggestions, which cover many aspects of future development and have at least some consensus of support.

I would like to see:
1) Not see the town centre slabbed over with paving stones like many other characterless town centres. I liked the green and the trees of the old town centre.

2) Less traffic in the town centre.

3) No large supermarket on the estuary site. Belief that this will draw people into the town is misguided. People will just drive down the main road, into the supermarket car park, do their shopping and drive away again. Net result being more traffic and congestion on a road that already doesn't need it and no increase in the people in the town centre.

And for those interested, I'm 32 and have only been in Exmouth for 3 years. I moved from featureless Reading because Reading had literally turned into a hole (too much traffic, not enough green, town centre that had become a duplicate of every other town centre due to large off-centre supermarkets, and a number of other things). And I see Exmouth going the same way.

What I personally would love to see included in any development plan for Exmouth would be the provision of an arts/community centre. A place where people of all ages could go (and/or book) spaces that interest groups could use to learn, carry out interest-led work, hold and attend presentations/talks AND showcase and exhibit work. Obviously such a centre would be of massive interest to those already interested and active in the arts but, in fact, it could serve as a fantastic hub and resource to fire imaginations, stimulate and support creative involvement and thinking (in the widest sense of the word) for a very wide community base in Exmouth. We have nothing like this in Exmouth AND WE SHOULD!!

Some very important points here. I particularly like the idea of helping people to navigate the town in an upbeat manner. It's definitely achievable at moderate cost.

Ho hum. Over a week since I posted and still nothing.
A few days since I sent a reminder, and still nothing.
It's all well and good asking for opinions, but not publishing them after you've asked for them seems a bit pointless. It's certainly no way to engage the residents of Exmouth.

Really good points here, particularly ref. car and trailer parking, virtually impoossible during appropriate weather and tides. We had the footprints on the front a few years ago, and they were encouraging.

Agree with these points, particularly car with trailer parking, virtually impossible in good season and tides. Pavement pointers are FUN, and helpful.

sad though it may seem, pound shops and charity shops clearly go down well in Exmouth … you'd think that the largest town in Devon would attract retailers keen to take advantage of the concentration of population, but in my 40 odd years here, this has never happened (apart from Tesco) … Exmouth is an anachronism. maybe because of its geographical location …. it 'aint on the road to anywhere , and Exeter is but a short journey away …..

I grew up in Broadstairs in Kent. It used to be very like Exmouth – down at heel and depressing, with cafes that closed early, charity shops and tatty pubs. Over my last few family visits I have been really pleased with the number and variety of restaurants (at all price ranges), and shops. The pubs have picked themselves up. The restaurants stay open till late, and there is a real community feel. Unemployment is still very high and the town is not on any route to anywhere, but it still has a more vibrant feel. I love Exmouth, but it does need to encourage people and businesses with the flare and tenacity to attract people out of their homes and to generate a sense of pride in the town. We want to get rid of the image of Exmouth town centre as a place of roudy drunkeness, and litter.

Great idea Bryann we have so much art around but no focus for it. Exmouth is down to tourism as its only real industry so it makes perfect sense to connect this with a high standard of creative endeavours. You definately get my vote and will get lots of support for it. I'd say give us a building maybe Thomas Tuckers old shop can be brought,have a meeting houseupstairs, proper gallery downstairs, run art workshops. I agree, make it inspiring put a bit of cash into it and it will attract tourism too. Bu in the winter we could begin to become the new school of creativity. Love it. Viv