大象传媒

The years of waiting were finally over, when Exeter's 拢230 million Princesshay scheme was officially opened to the public.

The Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Hazel Slack, cut the ribbon at 9.30am on 20 September 2007 to declare the shopping quarter open.

Then, just before 10am, the barrier ropes were taken down and shoppers headed straight for the stores.

Princesshay is home to 60 shops, cafes and restaurants - including 36 new names to Exeter.

Some 95% of the scheme was let in time for the opening, and most of the stores will be open ahead of Christmas.

Among the shops is the anchor store, Debenhams, where queues of shoppers waited for the opening at 10am.

The development also features public art, open spaces and new public toilets.

The shop space covers 530,000 square feet, and there are 123 new apartments in Princesshay which it is hoped will also help to breathe new life into the city centre.

Cllr Slack said Exeter now had a city centre to be proud of: "It's been a rocky road over the past decade or so but we haven't been deterred.

"And look what has emerged - this is a superb development."

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw said the city needed the Princesshay redevelopment: "It's very exciting for the city," he told 大象传媒 Devon.

"It will create jobs and bring retailers to the city.

"We were losing customers to Plymouth and Taunton and this will bring Exeter back up the shopping league.

"It's nice and open and the cafe culture brings new life to the city centre. And we've now got nice views to the Cathedral and city walls.

"It combines Exeter's history with modernity. I think it's very impressive."

Princesshay manager, Sally Henley, said Exeter was now a great place to shop: "We believe the irresistible range of shopping, restaurants and cafes, together with the heritage city location, will be a big draw for shoppers and visitors."

The developers are Land Securities and the contractors are Sir Robert McAlpine. The architects were Chapman Taylor, Panter Hudspith, and Wilkinson Eyre.