The first evidence of the planned remodelling of Exeter's Guildhall Shopping Centre has appeared in the shape of vinyls in the windows of vacated shop premises.
The Ambulatory – also known as Higher Market – between Queen Street and Market Square is to be transformed into a haven for food lovers, with a cluster of 13 cafes and restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisine.
While some retailers in this area will continue to trade until the end of this year before relocating within the centre, others have already closed – with Hawkins Bazaar and ShakeAway the latest to go this week.
The vinyls herald the first part of the process of rebuilding the former shops leading to Market Square in preparation for their transformation into what is being billed as "a unique dining destination".
This part of the centre, together with the former Poundland building, will become home to national restaurateurs and local food businesses with a mix of cuisines, creating a "best-in-class dining destination providing quality, choice and variety from breakfast to dinner".
Centre owners Aviva Investors intend to appoint a contractor in the coming weeks and works are due to begin early in the new year, with the new restaurants opening in time for Christmas 2015.
The Guildhall Shopping Centre will remain open for business throughout the remodelling, which will also include a new-look High Street entrance and improvements to public spaces.
Simon Green, associate director of Aviva Investors, said: "Vinyls represent the first step in our exciting plans for the Guildhall Shopping Centre.
"During the remodelling period we will be working hard to transform the existing building into space which will attract dynamic restaurateurs and food businesses and create an area Exeter can be proud of.
"We will keep disruption to a minimum and we hope that the people of Exeter will bear with us during the remodelling period – the end result will be more than worth it."
