tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post5746157214380286745..comments2024-02-20T01:04:40.373+00:00Comments on Demolition Exeter: Nos. 1 to 11, Sidwell StreetUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-42250724389772304602013-12-05T16:13:27.420+00:002013-12-05T16:13:27.420+00:00I just realised 1, St Sidwell is where my ancestor...I just realised 1, St Sidwell is where my ancestors were after living in North Street, early 1800's, but I doubt any of the pics are as early. I think at that time the place was gradually getting new brick houses of the newer better off tradesman? Interesting to see what the site became!Jacky Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07520969649589539256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-36952790176976393182012-07-18T01:40:34.006+01:002012-07-18T01:40:34.006+01:00I lived in Longbrook Street for some years, almost...I lived in Longbrook Street for some years, almost in the shadow of that horrid building - it dominated the skyline and when I heard a rumour, that it was going to reduced in height I was delighted - unhappily the rumour was false -and its now being 'glamorised' with glass and steel ! Its a great shame because it is a monstrosity that draws the eye away from the beauty of the Cathedral - which was once the focal point of the the city's skyline, particularly from any distance, as was intended when it was first built all those centuries ago.AJPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-67787934806164730282012-06-21T11:13:10.180+01:002012-06-21T11:13:10.180+01:00Hi Will. I must get around to doing an update on t...Hi Will. I must get around to doing an update on the former Debenhams building as it has changed quite a bit since I wrote about it. I agree that the recycling aspect is commendable. I guess what sticks in my throat is the fact that over the last 60 years the local authority has pulled down hundreds of buildings of greater visual and historical value with no thought to recycling them. For me, it just seems ironic that such a monstrosity should get a second lease of life when so many others have fallen by the wayside. But clearly some people are deeply attached to the building. Good luck with the documentary!wolfpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06806875968340034510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-66844660377991266282012-06-20T13:49:23.295+01:002012-06-20T13:49:23.295+01:00This is a fascinating page. Thank you!
I'm a ...This is a fascinating page. Thank you!<br /><br />I'm a local filmmaker who usually works on corporate stuff for corporate clients, I'm also a lapsed Exonian (just returned after 7 years away), my mum still calls the building Bobby's. <br /><br />The story of this place interests me a great deal; I was always in the eye-sore pull it down camp but I think it's a great piece of recycling - so often are old buildings just pulled down - and the new store is shaping up well and will no doubt be far better than the mediocre Debenhams in Princesshay. <br /><br />I'd like to make a short documentary films about the building and would be interested in hearing from people with memories of the old place, or if you have pictures..... my e-mail will@foxwellfilms.co.ukWillhttp://www.foxwellfilms.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-23013547073834631542012-03-05T15:23:04.249+00:002012-03-05T15:23:04.249+00:00I worked as a waitress in the restaurant at Bobby&...I worked as a waitress in the restaurant at Bobby's in the '70's and I can tell you that it does have one redeeming feature - the view from the top!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-90718769744349904872012-01-04T12:27:29.636+00:002012-01-04T12:27:29.636+00:00For information, there will be a new restaurant on...For information, there will be a new restaurant on the 4th floor.<br />Escalators and / or lifts will take shoppers from the ground floor to 4th floor.<br /><br />There are going to be 5 trading floors with the upper smaller floors being store areas / back of house<br /><br />And no the reason the building has been retained was not due to asbestos (albeit this has been a well documented issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-25109478392221663682011-12-07T13:09:11.366+00:002011-12-07T13:09:11.366+00:00I am strongly in favour of keeping what was the De...I am strongly in favour of keeping what was the Debenhams building. I completely agree that it is architectually hideous but I also think it has become an important landmark in Exeter. Plus, there are few other buildings that serve as such an excelltn visual reminder of the damage done to the city during the rebuilding process.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-44873687238524351422011-11-16T20:31:25.577+00:002011-11-16T20:31:25.577+00:00I can see what you are saying wolfpaw. As a retail...I can see what you are saying wolfpaw. As a retailer myself, and a sales / marketeer all myself, I am not the right person to deplore the situation in Exeter. The massive catchment area and resulting revenue and prosperity this brings Exeter, would be hard to replace if the shoppers went away. The planners certainly ran amok in the 60's, and short of buldozing the town centre and starting again, Exeter has what it has now, and maybe can replace bits in the future. WW2 has a lot to answer for as well. I do not live in Exeter at the moment, but used to visit the "back streets" and explore the privately owned shops when I worked in the city. I wonder what can be done to attract the shoppers away from the centre, and find what they are missing. On the busses front, have you visited Oxford city centre? Total bus nightmare, as it costs £30 to park per day in Oxford, so most use the park and ride's etc. The city centre Architecture is hidden by the masses and the barrier of buses. It's not just an Exeter problem, but not much comfort for you! Good blog by the way.Timnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-83434739219993101282011-11-04T18:54:04.440+00:002011-11-04T18:54:04.440+00:00I don't know what John Lewis will squirrel awa...I don't know what John Lewis will squirrel away on the 4th floor. I do know that the whole city is supposed to be quaking in excitement at the prospect of John Lewis pitching up but I doubt I'll ever step foot inside. Unless you're into shopping for clothes or shoes, Exeter has very little to offer in the way of interesting retail experiences. Any books, CDs or DVDs I want I usually order online. The only difference between the centre of Exeter and Cribbs Causeway in Bristol is the fact that Exeter has a Gothic cathedral stuck in the middle. 21st century Exeter is a giant open-air shopping mall with a few historic buildings stuck around the edges. Admittedly many cities in England are the same but the point of my blog, hopefully, is to try and show that Exeter was once so much more than that. Another problem with shopping in Exeter is that nearly all of the shoppers are funneled into the High Street and Princesshay. Who really goes ambling down Paris Street, South Street, North Street or Sidwell Street looking in the shops? So there are literally thousands of people crammed into a relatively small area, the consequence of which, for me, is an unpleasantly frenetic and crushed environment. Throw in the buses trundling down the High Street and Queen Street and I personally find it all pretty grim. I guess a lot depends on what you want from a city. For me there should be more than countless chain stores and shops. I've lived in Exeter on and off for nearly 40 years and grew up here. Exeter is *my* city and it always feels like home when I return after being away, but I can't pretend to be anything but totally critical of its current incarnation. I find the 20th century history of Exeter as fascinating as it is deplorable.wolfpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06806875968340034510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-11777692613987169812011-11-02T07:36:45.262+00:002011-11-02T07:36:45.262+00:00Hi Wolfpaw and Hi Denise! Yes Wolfpaw, Cookware wa...Hi Wolfpaw and Hi Denise! Yes Wolfpaw, Cookware was up there, but there were many changes to tempt customers up there. Soft Furnishings, Toys and the Christmas Grotto, Sports, Stationary, Carpets, Customer service (for exchanges and refunds), Gardening, Fashion clearance, etc, have all been guests of the 4th floor during my time at Debenhams, but I expect there were others. Any guesses on what John Lewis will try first?!Timnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-44019347533729977492011-10-12T15:58:31.379+01:002011-10-12T15:58:31.379+01:00I too used to work in Debenhams, (hello Tim!) so I...I too used to work in Debenhams, (hello Tim!) so I have many fond memories of the building. As an Exeter girl, I grew up with this skyline. Agreed, It is an eyesore, but it's OUR eyesore! Many of us associate the building with childhood special treats in the restaurant and as a popular place to meet with friends. I would be quite sad to see it go.Denisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-70676279628759422162011-10-12T00:10:58.419+01:002011-10-12T00:10:58.419+01:00Hi Tim. Wasn't kitchenware up on the top floor...Hi Tim. Wasn't kitchenware up on the top floor? I remember going up there sometimes and it was deserted, and you either had to wait for one of those lifts to trundle you up to the top or spend an age using the escalators! (or using the stairs...) The best thing about the building were the views from the restaurant, and if you were inside it then you didn't have to look at it. I agree that it's now part of the Exeter skyline, but the fact that such a structure could find a home in Exeter speaks volumes to me about the architectural depths to which the city has sunk since 1945. Can you imagine such a thing in the middle of York or Salisbury, Canterbury, Lincoln or Winchester? It really should never have been built, but given the rest of Sidwell Street, the upper High Street, Paris, Street, South Street, etc. does it really matter if it goes. Probably not. It's a bit like Renslade House in many ways. That whole side of the city between Cowick Street and Fore Street has been so totally decimated by the inner bypass that it wouldn't make much difference if Renslade House stayed or not. I too am surprised that John Lewis are moving to the old Debenhams building. I imagine they're relying on a massive redevelopment of the bus station area. I don't personally think that the city's road system should be screwed around with to accommodate JL though. Driving around Exeter is hellish enough as it is without making more roads one-directional or closing them entirely. Thank you for commenting!wolfpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06806875968340034510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-17560861065383714452011-10-11T20:33:49.542+01:002011-10-11T20:33:49.542+01:00I used to work in the store in the 70's and ea...I used to work in the store in the 70's and early 80's. The big problem is getting customers up above the first floor, there are 7 trading floors! The floors above the 3rd floor are quite small as well. So I am surprised that John Lewis are taking it on, and it will be interesting to see how they tackle the problem. I cannot remember the full history of the building, but when I worked there, we were told that Bobby's has taken on the building, which originally was intended as an office block. Certainly, I can't believe any retailer would consider it a good idea to attempt to get customers to assend 5 floors above ground, and foot fall on the upper floors was always a problem. This is why they tried putting popular depts like toys on the 4th floor to tempt customers up, but they did not like it! Planning permission had been gained to extend the upper floors out over the curved part at the front, but Bobby's / Debenhams never found the considerable amount of money required to make these improvements. Also, a high speed lift to the restaurant was planned for the Sidwell St side of the building, but again, this was never completed.<br />I have fond memories of the place, so would be sad to see it go, even if it was a mistake to build it. It has become a famous part of the Exeter skyline.<br />I wish JL the best, and maybe the face lift will at least make the tower look easier on the eye. Certainly, it will be a very visible landmark for them, as it was for us. Everyone knew where to find Debenhams, Exeter branch!Timnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-16240553478048445072011-10-02T22:41:20.913+01:002011-10-02T22:41:20.913+01:00Apparently one of the reasons the building is stay...Apparently one of the reasons the building is staying is because it's full of asbestos. I agree that the High Street needs some sense of closure, and no-one would want to look up Sidwell Street unless they had to, but a seven-storey tower block was never the way to achieve it. I can see where you're coming from though. The High Street does needs some closure because of its post-war widening. If it had retained its original width/height ratio then this in itself would've prevented the sense of visual sprawl that would occur now if the tower block was demolished. In some way the sheer vertical thrust of the tower black replaces the strong vertical lines of the pre-war buildings and acts as a balance to the horizontal, monolithic nature of the post-war structures. As I said in the post, I'm not really bothered if it stays or goes. If the future of architecture in Exeter is symbolised by the Next building then there seems little point demolishing one eyesore and replacing it with another (and I do believe that the majority of people in the city would regard the old Debenhams block as an eyesore). The Next building would look more at home in a retail park on the outskirts of Swindon. How it ended up on the corner of the High Street and Paris Street is a mystery. Thanks for your comment. It's good to hear from another Exonian!wolfpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06806875968340034510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6882578413887103850.post-42213198834271534122011-10-01T17:27:55.991+01:002011-10-01T17:27:55.991+01:00I'm from Exeter and while I have had mixed fee...I'm from Exeter and while I have had mixed feelings regarding this building over the years, I now think it would be a mistake to destroy it.<br />While the Debenhams Building may not be the best example of a 1960s tower, it is a solid well-constructed building in which a vast quantity of materials were used and many man-hours of work went into. To destroy all this material and work would be extremely wasteful.<br />Aesthetically, I prefer its sober dignified austerity to the tacky 1980s buildings in London Inn Square and the somewhat bizarre new Next building.<br />Finally I will say that the High Street needs a large building at its end to provide visual closure. If the tower was gone all you would see would be the shabby old Victorian buildings round the back and the grim concrete strip of Sidwell Street.<br />While Exeter still maintains many beautiful areas, I agree with you that this part of the city is beyond repair as far as historic architecture goes; but it can still be a smart, clean modern functional cityscape, which I hope the road layout changes and John Lewis refurbishment will achieve.Robnoreply@blogger.com