Queen’s Drive Space goes live!

Fun, sun, food and entertainment were the order of the day for Exmouth Seafront over the Bank Holiday Weekend as the Queen’s Drive Space officially went live.

The new space, created by East Devon District Council, features a brand new Jurassic-themed play park, a scrumptious food village from Taste of the West and an events space which, from June 12, will be used for live performances and big screen streamed shows from theatres across the UK, starting with Swan Lake from the Royal Opera House.

Doors opened to the new space on Friday (May 25) afternoon although children from nearby Beacon Church Of England Primary School enjoyed a sneak preview of the free play park earlier in the day. Youngsters from the primary school’s Samba band ‘Beacon Beats’ entertained visitors during the afternoon.

Throughout the weekend the area was buzzing with activity with residents, children and visitors alike enjoying all the new things to do on the site. Children using the play area were thrilled with the new equipment describing it as ‘awesome’ and ‘epic’.

Cllr Philip Skinner, Deputy Leader of East Devon District Council and chairman of the Exmouth Regeneration group, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the response we have received to the Queen’s Drive Space. From the moment the gates opened, people have been coming along and really enjoying themselves. The council has put a great deal of work in to this project and following its first weekend were very pleased.

“It’s a great area for all the family - great food, great play and a great space to relax on this beautiful seafront. There will be a real buzz in the air too when our summer events begin in June so watch this space.”

One of the first visitors to the site was Mayor of Exmouth, Jeffrey Trail BEM, and his deputy Bruce de Saram.

Regional organisation Taste of the West are running the food village, and are offering residents and visitors food, drink and foodie gifts from their rota of stallholders, which will keep changing all summer in a bid to constantly offer something new for visitors.

Local food businesses Kenniford Farm, Infusion Café, PanCrepe and Panda’s Pan Roll Ice Cream are all currently in-situ, with other food stallholders joining the space as the summer goes on.

John Sheaves, Chief Executive of Taste of the West, who are running the food village said: “We are so lucky to have some of the best food producers in the country here, and our food village in Exmouth provides us with a great opportunity to show them off to potential customers this summer.”

Oddfellows are providing a bar on site all summer, and the performance aspect kicks off on Tuesday, June 12, with an evening performance of Swan Lake, streamed live on a specially made screen, straight from The Royal Opera House in London.

Queen’s Drive Space will remain open until September. The food village will be open at weekends until the summer holidays when it will be open seven days a week. The play park and the food and drink village are free to enter, although some charges may apply for some performances in the event space.

Please check the website www.queensdrivespace.co.uk for further information and performance dates and times.