New entertainment venue - survey results
Published: 13 November 2018
Exeter city centre is the favoured location for a potential new entertainment venue, the results of a survey have revealed.
More than 70% of those who took part in an on-street and online survey opted for an entertainment venue in the heart of the city rather than on the outskirts or out of the city entirely.
Exeter City Council commissioned independent research agency Marketing Means to conduct the survey to gauge public opinion on the findings of an earlier needs assessment looking at the demand for a new entertainment venue and what type of venue that might be.
More than 1,500 people took part in an online survey, whilst 550 people were quizzed on the streets of Exeter.
The surveys come hard on the heels of the assessment which concluded that there is potential for a new entertainment venue but that it could not be funded entirely by public money, if it was decided to go ahead and build one.
Asked what type of events they wanted to see put on at a new venue, most people opted for drama, pop, rock, musical theatre and comedy, with around half those responding saying that they would attend such events.
Versatility was seen as key to a potential new venue, with around three-quarters of those questioned favouring a multi-purpose building offering multiple stage configurations and flexible seating/standing options.
Most of those taking part in the surveys agreed that a new entertainment venue would attract visitors and tourists, enhance Exeter’s reputation, have a positive impact on the night-time economy in Exeter, and help regenerate parts of the city centre.
Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture, said: “It’s important to get the views of the public and I must thank all those people who took part in these surveys.”
She added: “There is still much work to be done if we are to succeed in having a new entertainment venue in Exeter and I can’t stress enough the funding challenges – it’s not going to happen with public funding alone!
“But if we can find a funding solution by working together, then it’s clear that most people would want to see a new venue in the city centre and we will be considering potential locations.”
The Needs Assessment and full results of the survey can be found on the City Council website, at www.exeter.gov.uk/nev