Guildhall Shopping Centre marks 50 years in Exeter with exhibition and celebrations

One of Exeter’s longest-established retail destinations is celebrating a major milestone this year as the Guildhall Shopping Centre marks 50 years at the heart of the city.

The centre officially opened on 11 November 1976, with Princess Alexandra performing the opening ceremony. Half a century on, it remains a central part of Exeter’s retail, leisure and dining offer.

Built on historically rich ground in the city centre, the site has been associated with settlement since prehistoric times and later developed into the Higher and Lower Markets that served Exeter for centuries. 

Today, the shopping centre incorporates the 13th-century Church of St Pancras within its footprint, reflecting the blend of historic and modern architecture that characterises much of the city.

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Recognising the need for regeneration in the 1970s, redevelopment plans were approved, leading to the creation of the Guildhall Shopping Centre as a modern retail destination. 

Over the past five decades it has grown to become one of the largest shopping centres in Devon and Cornwall, reinforcing Exeter’s position as a regional capital of the South West.

Like many high streets across the country, the centre has adapted to significant changes in retail habits. 

Traditional shopping has increasingly been complemented by dining and leisure, particularly following the opening of the Queen Street dining development in 2016. 

Venues such as Boom Battle Bar and Escape Hunt have added to the mix, broadening the appeal beyond retail alone.

Kelli Jenkins, Marketing Manager at the Guildhall Shopping Centre, told Exeter Today that reaching the anniversary had been a proud moment for the team.

“Reaching our 50th anniversary here at the Guildhall shopping centre has been fun and exciting for everyone here. We're all just really happy to be part of a huge milestone that matters to us and the community,” she said.

“This shopping centre has been here for 50 years, generations have shopped here, so we are just trying to highlight how long Guildhall has been here, all of the changes, all of the history.”

“Since our opening in 1976, so many things have changed. Shops have changed, shopping habits have changed, the way we shop has changed, dining and leisure has become a massive part of the Exeter City Centre.”

“The Queen Street dining development was opened in 2016, people are dining, they're shopping, they're doing activities like Boom Battle Bar or Escape Hunt, there's a lot more going on here than just traditional shopping.”

She also acknowledged the challenges faced over the years, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

“One of the biggest challenges the Guildhall faced was Covid in 2020, as with all other shopping centres around the world. It was a hard time to navigate people coming in and out the shop,” she said.

To mark its golden anniversary, the centre has launched a year-long programme of celebrations throughout 2026. 

Decorations have been installed across the shopping centre, including a themed photobooth and a large “50” birthday cake display for visitors.

A special “History of the Guildhall” exhibition has also opened in Market Square. Running from Monday 16 February for four weeks, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the origins of the centre’s name, view photographs spanning five decades, and see how the shopping experience has evolved since 1976.

Ms Jenkins said the response from local residents had already been positive.

“To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we have decorated the Guildhall Shopping Centre with a photobooth for shoppers to take pictures in, a big 50 cake and an exhibition in Market Square of the shopping centre across the years showing the pictures of the Guildhall from 1976 to now.”

“The local people have really enjoyed it so far, in fact I met a lady who was 96 who remembers what the Guildhall used to look like and she wanted to show her family which was lovely as these images can get lost and it's nice to look back on and connect generations.”

As part of the anniversary year, the Guildhall Shopping Centre has also announced that it will support Young Lives vs. Cancer as its chosen Charity of the Year.

Looking ahead, Ms Jenkins said the centre’s role within the city remained clear.

“The Guildhall shopping centre will always be the heart of Exeter's community and the city.”