Now, more than ever, we need to support our independent businesses InExeter

Our city-centre feels very different now and while the peace is its own kind of special, the impact on our usually buzzing shops and restaurants is huge. Emily from InExeter, the city’s business improvement district, shares what they are up to and how we can help.

“Our job at InExeter is to support our city-centre businesses. One of our major focuses in these recent weeks has been supporting Exeter’s brilliant independent retail and food businesses. As a city, we are rightly proud of our independents and it’s now when we need to support our favourite businesses, wherever possible, through these rocky times.

The energy that drives these successful independent businesses means they have adapted to the current situation, with many selling online and delivering. NGNG (selling plants and loads of other gorgeous stuff online) has teamed up with The House of Hope and Mercy in The Jungle to deliver. Fellow Fore Street wonders, Frocks in Swingtime, Sanchos, Bunyip Craft and Zero Exeter are all working their socks off to sell online and deliver.

Other city centre indies you can support online include Hutch Houseplants, Roundel Clothing, Hyde and Seek, Mantis, Pullo, Ebdons, Chococo, Cork and Tile, Lloyd Maunder and St Sidwells Bakery.   

The neighbourliness that’s emerged during lockdown has also extended to businesses with Paris Street and Sidwell street working together to set up a delivery service. 

Magdalen Road has recently become part of the InExeter family and essential shops there remain open while others are delivering. Open for business, some online, some physically are:  St Leonards Bakery, Gibsons Plaice Fishmongers, The Grocer on the Green, Bens Farm Shop, Bon Gout, St Leonards News, Budgens, Smiths Wines, Maker Maker, Salt and Land, Leaf Street, Leela, Nourish zero waste and Lloyds Pharmacy.

With most of us having a little more time on our hands we’re encouraging everyone to think local and give Exeter’s amazing indies the support they need to get through this. As we move forward when restrictions ease, we’re asking everyone to keep buying local where possible.

InExeter is part of the Stronger Together taskforce – find out how to be part of our campaign to support the city and its surrounds as we move forward here.”