Businesses hold relocation talks

The £135m redevelopment covers 13 acres of the Princesshay area.

Relocation talks are continuing between businesses affected by the redevelopment of Exeter city centre and developer Land Securities.

Major demolition work is to begin in the New Year, but some businesses have yet to be accommodated elsewhere.

The main Post Office has confirmed it will be going to Sidwell Street but Tim Miles of the Blue Boy Gift Shop is still looking for alternative premises.

City Centre Manager John Harvey said developers were doing what they could.

Refurbishment work

"We have done very well in relocating businesses to date," he said.

"Many of those we have moved have gone into far superior premises than the ones they were in previously, but we will continue to keep up the hard work to find new space for those businesses that want to move."

The £135m redevelopment of the city centre covers 13 acres of the Princesshay area.

Fifty new shops and restaurants will be built as part of the plans.

The new city centre base for Exeter's main post office will be in the former Tesco store in Sidwell Street.

It has been refurbished by Land Securities to accommodate a number of businesses affected by the building work.

The branch will move in the New Year and will have the same number of serving positions as currently in use, with staff transferring to the new location.

The Post Office has retained an option to return to its present location in Bedford Street when the redevelopment work is completed in 2007.