Enhancements planned to help make Exeter’s South Street shine

Published: 9 March 2023

A new project to celebrate and enhance Exeter’s South Street is being planned with the help of grants from Safer Exeter’s Community Sparks scheme.

The South Street Shine project, led by InExeter, the business improvement district for Exeter city centre, aims to celebrate this key part of the city and help it to flourish in the future.

South Street Shine includes an interactive art installation situated at the top of South Street, outside Skipton Building Society at the junction with Exeter High Street and South Street.

The installation has been designed by local artist Scott Walker, whose interactive cartoons draw inspiration from contemporary character design and street art.

Scott will be visiting South Street on Tuesday 28 March, hand drawing his creative characters with the community invited to take part in colouring in the design.

Events Manager Marina O’Shea, who has organised the interactive art for South Street Shine, said: “It is wonderful to be activating South Street with this art installation where the whole community can get involved, help celebrate their area and have ownership of the street.”

Projects Manager Mattie Richardson has coordinated the repainting of the current bench seating in South Street and wildflowers will be sown around the benches and pop-up planters to bring colour and vibrancy to the area.

Mattie said: “It is fantastic to be able to activate a new area of the city with planting for 2023. These colourful floral displays enhance the streetscape and soften the urban environment.”

Each planter has been adopted by businesses in South Street who will become custodians of their planters to ensure they grow and thrive.

Catherine Lovich, Manager of the Oxfam Books & Music in South Street, said: “We are looking forward to being part of South Street Shine and being a custodian for our own planters. It is fantastic to all be working together to make South Street burst to life with colour this spring.”

InExeter was awarded funding from the Community Sparks Grants for the South Street Shine initiatives, which will help improve and regenerate the local environment.

Activities will commence with the art installation on 28 March, along with the planting and bench refurbishments. The public are invited to visit and experience the new artwork during the Easter holidays.