Where we work // Exeter

The Exeter Office

The only UK city to be awarded the UNESCO City of Literature status 2019

With so many of our staff and Associates based in huge cities internationally, including London, Berlin and Dubai, the rather humble ancient city of Exeter, one of the south-west of England’s cathedral cities, may sound rather underwhelming in comparison. However, you would be wrong. Pre-dating the arrival of the Romans in AD 50, Exeter’s history is rich and long, reflected in its visitor attractions including its unique Underground Passages, astonishing Cathedral, imposing Roman Wall and beautiful Quayside.

But that’s not all. In November last year, Exeter was awarded the prestigious UNESCO City of Literature status, gaining international recognition as the only place in the UK to be given the status this time around, spending more on culture than most other cities in the country. Exeter’s bid centred around 1000 years of unbroken history around reading, recognising the Exeter Book at Exeter Cathedral – one of the oldest and best preserved collections of old English verse in the world, older than famous texts such as Beowulf – but also about what reading and writing means to residents in Exeter. It joins 65 cities across the world that have become part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, celebrating “not only the rich variety of cultural and creative activities that are crafted and cultivated in Exeter, but also the close collaboration between so many people and organisations to ensure Exeter strengthens its flourishing arts and culture reputation not just in the UK, but across the world”. (exeter.ac.uk/news/university/title_762770_en.html)

From innovative and contemporary performances, theatrical productions and dance pieces hosted by Exeter Phoenix and The Exeter Corn Exchange, to festivals including Poltimore Festival, showcasing the best independent music, theatre, film and art, to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, winning the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year, the UK’s most significant sector award, following its magnificent £24 million development project in 2012 which reinterpreted the museum’s collections with cutting-edge curation – it is clear that Exeter is a city deserving of recognition for its ambition, imagination and wider contribution to a global network of creativity. Even the prestigious University itself is home to the wonderful Bill Douglas Cinema Museum and Northcott Theatre, both attracting increasing numbers of visitors each year and providing invaluable social, cultural and skills enriching opportunities for students alongside study.

“A city re-imagined through culture, Exeter is the right size to pioneer new ways of working, as a leading smaller city capable of taking risks, and piloting and demonstrating impact” (Exeter Cultural Strategy 2019 – 2024). Although a notoriously peaceful, scenic city, its large student population, vibrant cultural scene and direct train link to London, home to our Naoroji Street office, makes it a perfect base for remote working and endless inspiration to feed into our many projects here at BLR, now and in the future…

Amy Borchard

Associate Consultant