“The cobbled streets really give it an old-fashioned feel.”
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A piece in yesterday’s Devon Live showed that Exeter’s high street is not doing very well:
All the shops in Exeter city centre that still remain vacant in 2022 – Devon Live
But as it said:
After five years in Exeter, Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe relocated in January 2017 to its new home in Church Street, Sidmouth. Sadly Sidmouth’s gain was Exeter’s loss because the shop in North Street remains unlet.
Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe – Sidmouth | Facebook
As reported by the Herald at the time:
Exeter sweet shop moves to Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald
And it does seem that the smaller towns are doing better, with other shops in Sidmouth opening:
Cotton Traders announces Sidmouth opening date | Sidmouth Herald
And businesses winning awards:
Kingfisher card shop, Sidmouth, wins regional retail award | Sidmouth Herald
Perhaps it’s because the shopping streets of Sidmouth are so attractive:
3. Fore Street
With a mixture of small independent businesses as well as the big high street names. Fore Street is the main arterial route to the sea but do make sure to stop off and treat yourself to some retail therapy on your way.
5. Church Street
Bunting, fairy lights and the shop fronts really make Church Street come alive at night. The graveyard and the floodlights from Sidmouth Parish Church can make it look spooky though.
6. New Street
The hub of the town centre. The cobbled streets really give it an old-fashioned feel. As long as you don’t mind the smell of fish coming from the local fishmongers in the Market Hall.
7 pretty streets in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald
But we can’t be complacent: Sidmouth still has plenty of empty shops and will have to ‘reinvent the high street’ as will Exeter:
Reinventing the high street – repurposing empty retail stores – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Reviving the high street: getting the mix right – Vision Group for Sidmouth