Exeter’s museum to host a pop-up exploring the future of the High Street

Exeter High Street has been around in some form since Roman times as a place to buy things, to worship, celebrate or protest, to meet friends or just catch up on the latest gossip. Now as the internet changes the way we shop, socialise and live, Exeter’s university, city council and museum are exploring how our High Street could evolve to meet our needs – and they want to hear from the public.

The pop-up shop, located in the old Gap store on the High Street, will be open over a four week period from Wednesday 18 May to Saturday 11 June. Visitors will find a wealth of information inside, charting the evolution of the street over the past 2,000 years, as well as opportunities to create their own ideas for the city centre using LEGO® bricks and Minecraft. 

Stuart Crewes of Art Work Exeter (AWE) said, ‘We use LEGO as it is a really accessible way of setting people at ease, to have some of the deeper conversations and let bigger ideas come together. By considering the variety and depth of history that has played out on this street, we're hoping to guide people to think about how we can enter new ways of being and doing together.’

Visitors can also explore museum objects and the University of Exeter’s Hidden Cities app to learn more about this fascinating part of the city’s history. Volunteers from RAMM and AWE) will facilitate conversations with members of the public about what they would like to see on the High Street of the future.

Ian Collinson, Exeter City Council Director of Planning and Development said, ‘We are excited to offer the public the opportunity to let us know what they think about the future of their High Street, in a fun and creative way. The feedback we receive will feed into Exeter’s Local Plan, informing the development of our wonderful city.’

Julien Parsons, Senior Collections Officer at RAMM, said, ‘We’re delighted to be partnering with the university and City Council on this important project. Visitors to the old Gap shop will have the chance to handle some of RAMM’s historic collections, have fun with LEGO and Minecraft, learn more about the history of Exeter city, and importantly, to let us know what they want from their High Street. It’s an exciting opportunity to start to shape our collective future.’

Saturday 21 May will see the venue hosting a free archaeology event. Attendees will get hands-on with some of the finds that are rewriting the archaeology of Exeter, and meet experts from the 'Exeter: A Place in Time' project, such as Exeter University’s Professor Stephen Rippon, and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.

Professor Rippon and Professor Fabrizio Nevola of the University of Exeter said, ‘History and archaeology are great ways to help people of all ages get to know their city. Not only is it exciting to explore the past, but it can also help us feel more connected to our environment, and get us thinking about the future as well.’

The space will also host two engaging and insightful evenings exploring what our community will need in the High Street of the future, on Thursday 26 May and Thursday 9 Jun. Considering inclusivity, environmental concerns, accessibility, enjoyment and health alongside a growing city’s needs, these free, ticketed events will offer an opportunity for knowledge sharing, conversation and debate.

RAMM about Town is a pilot project of the Creative Arc, a unique collaboration between the University of Exeter, Exeter City Council and RAMM to explore how the museum and its collections can help shape a better Exeter.

RAMM about Town will be open Wednesdays to Saturdays from Wednesday 18 May to Saturday 11 June, 11am-3pm. Visit rammuseum.org.uk/ramm-about-town to find out more, including speaker events listings. 

Exeter High Street has been around in some form since Roman times as a place to buy things, to worship, celebrate or protest, to meet friends or just catch up on the latest gossip. Now as the internet changes the way we shop, socialise and live, Exeter’s university, city council and museum are exploring how our High Street could evolve to meet our needs – and they want to hear from the public.The pop-up shop, located in the old Gap store on the High Street, will be open over a four week period from Wednesday 18 May to Saturday 11 June. Visitors will find a wealth of information inside, charting the evolution of the street over the past 2,000 years, as well as opportunities to create their own ideas for the city centre using LEGO® bricks and Minecraft. Stuart Crewes of Art Work Exeter (AWE) said, ‘We use LEGO as it is a really accessible way of setting people at ease, to have some of the deeper conversations and let bigger ideas come together. By considering the variety and depth of history that has played out on this street, we're hoping to guide people to think about how we can enter new ways of being and doing together.’Visitors can also explore museum objects and the University of Exeter’s Hidden Cities app to learn more about this fascinating part of the city’s history. Volunteers from RAMM and AWE) will facilitate conversations with members of the public about what they would like to see on the High Street of the future.Ian Collinson, Exeter City Council Director of Planning and Development said, ‘We are excited to offer the public the opportunity to let us know what they think about the future of their High Street, in a fun and creative way. The feedback we receive will feed into Exeter’s Local Plan, informing the development of our wonderful city.’Julien Parsons, Senior Collections Officer at RAMM, said, ‘We’re delighted to be partnering with the university and City Council on this important project. Visitors to the old Gap shop will have the chance to handle some of RAMM’s historic collections, have fun with LEGO and Minecraft, learn more about the history of Exeter city, and importantly, to let us know what they want from their High Street. It’s an exciting opportunity to start to shape our collective future.’Saturday 21 May will see the venue hosting a free archaeology event. Attendees will get hands-on with some of the finds that are rewriting the archaeology of Exeter, and meet experts from the 'Exeter: A Place in Time' project, such as Exeter University’s Professor Stephen Rippon, and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.Professor Rippon and Professor Fabrizio Nevola of the University of Exeter said, ‘History and archaeology are great ways to help people of all ages get to know their city. Not only is it exciting to explore the past, but it can also help us feel more connected to our environment, and get us thinking about the future as well.’The space will also host two engaging and insightful evenings exploring what our community will need in the High Street of the future, on Thursday 26 May and Thursday 9 Jun. Considering inclusivity, environmental concerns, accessibility, enjoyment and health alongside a growing city’s needs, these free, ticketed events will offer an opportunity for knowledge sharing, conversation and debate.RAMM about Town is a pilot project of the Creative Arc, a unique collaboration between the University of Exeter, Exeter City Council and RAMM to explore how the museum and its collections can help shape a better Exeter.RAMM about Town will be open Wednesdays to Saturdays from Wednesday 18 May to Saturday 11 June, 11am-3pm. Visit rammuseum.org.uk/ramm-about-town to find out more, including speaker events listings.