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City bus station market plea

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 13:39

By Guy Henderson, Local Democracy Reporter

Image courtesy: Thomas Richardson)

Green councillors in Exeter are calling on the city council to ‘seize the moment’ by turning its derelict bus station site into a new market place.

Newly-elected Cllr Bernadette Chelvanayagam (Green, Newtown & St Leonard’s) is asking the authority’s Labour leader Phil Bialyk (Exwick) to commission a feasibility study into ‘meanwhile use’ of the site in the city centre.
Her question, submitted ahead of the full council meeting on June 16, said the former bus station site presented an opportunity to support independent traders, start-up businesses, cultural activity, community use and improved public space while longer-term plans for the site are developed.
If the leader of the council agreed, she said, would he commit to a feasibility study into potential uses for the site before it is developed in the long term.
The council’s administration has said it favours using the derelict site as a car park as a way of generating income before it is used in the long-term for a larger development.
Greens have suggested a covered market as a ‘meanwhile use’, as well as a space for independent traders and start-up businesses, cultural activities, children’s play provision and enhanced planting, among other possible uses.
Up to £50,000 could be available for the study.
Before the meeting Cllr Chelvanayagam said: “Greens have long campaigned for the former bus station site in the city centre to be developed in interesting and exciting ways, both in the short and longer term.
“Our own survey of local residents found there was no appetite for the council’s previous plan for a temporary car park on the site – but plenty of enthusiasm and ideas for alternatives.
“With money available for a feasibility study, this is the chance for the council to be visionary and create a new destination in the city for residents and visitors. Let’s seize the moment and look at transforming a pile of rubble into a vibrant city centre square.”
 

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