The Ultimate Exeter Shopping Guide

Moving to a new city, meeting new people and embarking on your degree can be a nerve-wracking and disorientating experience. We are delighted you chose Exeter as your home for the next three or four years (or maybe more!), a vibrant and historical city in the heart of the rolling green hills of Devon. Whilst you may be feeling a little overwhelmed with the Fresher’s week itinerary, HC is always here to give you advice about this wonderful little city, and what better place to start than with a comprehensive guide to Exeter’s shopping? Read on for the low down on Exeter’s retail hub and how to take advantage of your student discount!

The High Street

The first port of call is of course the high street, and Exeter’s busy hub offers well known stores and unique boutiques. At the lower end of the high street, the Guildhall Centre, complete with a 12th century Church at its centre for any history students, offers high street favourites such as Primark, Barratts, Claire’s Accessories, The Body Shop and a small New Look. Opposite the Guildhall is Jack Wills, and further along the lower end of the high street you’ll find Ann Summers, House of Fraser, Triumph, Lush and Urban Outfitters. Along the main High Street, H&M, Accessorize, Republic, Boots, Next are all clearly located and within walking distance of each other. The High Street ends at retail favourite John Lewis. Newly opened last year, the department store stands like a beacon for passers-by, and although most of us can’t afford to buy anything, it is always fun to see what they have to offer.

Princesshay Shopping Quarter

Located just off the main high street is Exeter’s most talked about shopping centre, the redeveloped Princesshay Shopping Quarter. It boasts more than 60 shops and restaurants, including River Island, Zara, New Look, Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Coast, Apple, All Saints, Cath Kidston, Hollister, Debenhams, Nike, Oasis, Superdry and more! Undergoing a four year redevelopment programme in 2007, it is now the ultimate location for retail therapy, emphasising views of Exeter’s cathedral and historical artefacts giving you scenic backdrop whilst you spend your student loan. Also, this thriving shopping district hosts Exeter’s Student Lock-in, a free event of amazing discounts and offers for one night only. Keep your eyes peeled for more information about the Lock-in.

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Off the Beaten Track….

If you’re one for going off the beaten track, hidden next to Urban Outfitters you’ll find the gem that is Gandy Street, one of the oldest and most charming streets in Exeter. The narrow street, complete with cobble stones, offers a range of independent shops and cafes, such as quirky gift shop Moko selling everything from candles to handbags, sports retailer Rampant Sporting and other boutique stores. Rumoured to be J.K.Rowling’s inspiration behind Diagon Alley, a visit to Gandy Street is a must! Also, describing themselves as ‘the best kept secret in Exeter,’ The Real McCoy on Fore Street is a fantastic vintage and fancy dress shop, with vintage clothes from the 1880’s up until the 1980’s. The shop also has an accompanying café and restaurant, so if you want to dance like a flapper or get in the groove of the 60’s, The Real McCoy is Exeter’s vintage hot spot. Finally, it may not be off the beaten track, but it is a little further away from the city centre. Past the Quay, within The Exe Bridge Centre you’ll find a large TK Maxx, which is well worth the walk for its bargains.

Discounts

Now for the important bit, namely which stores offer the all-important student discount! For most of these, you can get the discount simply by showing your student card (so keep hold of this at all times). Other shops offer a discount with an NUS extra card, which you can buy for £12 via this link: https://cards.nusextra.co.uk/?utm_source=NUSorg&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=NUSExtra. And the discounts are:

The Body Shop 30% Sunday 24th September in a ‘Love Your Body’ Event from 9.30am-7.30pm

Topshop 10%

Miss Selfridge 10%-20%

Rampant Sporting 20%

Missguided 10%

New Look 10%

Accessorize 10%

With an NUS Extra Card…

Coast 10% 

Jack Wills 15% 

Lipsy 10% 

Boohoo.com 10% 

Oasis 10% 

Office 10% 

House of Fraser 10% 

Claire’s Accessories 15% 

Amazon 5-10% 

 Asos 10% 

La Senza 10% 

Photo Credits: www.pinterest.com, www.warminster-forum.co.uk, www.devoncornwallonline.com

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