City council looks into downsizing headquarters

Exeter City Council is currently based at the Civic Centre

Exeter City Council is pushing ahead with plans to move from its landmark headquarters on the edge of the city into much smaller premises.

The council said its current base at the Civic Centre was under-occupied and more hybrid working meant fewer staff in the office.

The council could move into offices at three locations across the city - in the Guildhall Shopping Centre, next to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and on the Marsh Barton industrial estate.

Council leader Phil Bialyk said the Civic Centre could then be used to provide new homes as part of plans to redevelop that area of the city.

Exeter City Council could move into an office in the Guildhall Shopping Centre

The old bus station, opposite the Civic Centre, has been demolished with permission given for a temporary car park on the site while other plans are developed.

The executive of Exeter City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to continue developing the plans and to ask full council to consider spending £100,000 on working up the scheme.

Following the increase in hybrid working the council only occupies one of three buildings at the site.

The council's attempts to lease out the other two buildings have had "some limited success but it is by no means full and is not achieving the rental income projected", according to the Exeter City Council report.

Other organisations currently using space at the Civic Centre include the Exeter Citizen's Advice service and Devon and Cornwall Police.

The city council acquired the Guildhall centre in May 2022 for an undisclosed sum.