Disney store to open in Exeter
ONE of the best-known brands in the world has signed up to open a new shop in Exeter city centre.
Disney’s plans to open a store in Princesshay have been hailed as a major boost for the city’s attractiveness as a shopping destination.
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Shoppers in a Disney store
The new store will occupy the former Barratts unit, just off Blue Boy Square on Eastgate, which has been vacant since the shoe shop closed in February.
The new store is due to open on Thursday, July 9.
Wayne Pearce, Princesshay centre director, said: “Disney is the world leader in family entertainment and it’s fantastic that they’ll now have a real presence in the city with a standalone store in Princesshay.
“We continue to have interest in all of our available units and I hope it won’t be too long before we can officially announce our next signing.”
The Disney store will sell a range of merchandise including clothing, toys, videos, DVDs, stationery, gifts, costumes and books.
The entertainment giant’s arrival comes as the Echo’s Exeter Bites Back campaign continues to highlight positive developments for the local economy.
John Harvey, Exeter city centre manager and an ambassador for the campaign, said: “This is a huge boost for Princesshay and the city centre as a whole. It’s great to see another major name arriving in the city and it’s important in terms of our competitive edge.
“Fans of the Disney Store, and I know there are many, will now be able to visit it in Exeter rather than having to travel to another shopping centre.” As the Echo reported earlier this month, the total number of vacant shops in Exeter city centre increased from 26 in August 2007 to 49 in March this year, when the latest count was made.
But the overall vacancy rate of 8.3 per cent remained well below the national average of 15 per cent.
Mr Harvey added: “Princesshay continues to attract high quality retailers and restaurants, with this latest prestigious signing sending out a message of encouragement to the retail community and shoppers.
“The process of seeking to attract new names to the city continues. There is ongoing dialogue with landlords and agents and I hope there will be further announcements over the coming period. It’s important that we are moving in the right direction again and slowly but clearly vacancies are beginning to reduce.”
The first Disney store opened in California over 20 years ago.
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by SB, EXMOUTH
Thursday, June 25 2009, 10:58AM
“Dan, I think you have too much time on your hands and maybe a trip to the Disney Store would help cheer you up.”
by HC, disneyland
Thursday, June 25 2009, 9:18AM
“it appears that Grumpy has got lost and is now living in Lympstone...if anyone finds him can you return him please, Happy, Bashful and Dopey are missing him!”
by CJ, Exeter
Thursday, June 25 2009, 8:07AM
“No idea - I'm far too busy to research into every single chain store in the country to see what their morals are before deciding whether to shop there or not.
I would suggest if you feel that strongly about it, don't bother to go shopping at all - no one is holding a gun to your head to make you go in Disney Store. We'll all make our own decisions about it. Some of us are very happy that there is finally going to be a Disney Store in Exeter.”
by Dan, Lympstone
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 8:18PM
“CJ. Are you telling me then that the Body Shop or H&M have the same sort of moral standing as Disney?
AP. When people are miserable when something bad happens that means they're likely to be enthusiastic when something good happens. When people are enthusiastic about everything that means they should be locked up.
TD. My my my what a sad world it is when anyone who opposes exploitation and greed gets called bitter and twisted, by people who are obviously carefree enough to be blithe to other people's unhappiness, and even make a virtue of their callousness. I congratulate you on being so well adjusted. I'm sure you'll go far.
SB. Whose future? the future is a contested term. I don't think turning the world into a concreted hellhole full of giant talking mice is inevitable. And bombing the town to knee height would be a 'change', but not all change is good is it?”
by SB, Exmouth
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 8:10AM
“Dan, with the future comes change and that is where we are heading so instead of been angry about the Disney arriving to Princesshay lets be happy that the shop will be filled instead of standing empty.”