Gandy Street is the place to be on the First Thursdays of the month this summer

First Thursdays is a new event you won’t want to miss.

From June to September, Gandy Street will come alive on the first Thursday of each month, with a festival atmosphere in the early evening.

The first event takes place on Thursday 4 June, 5–8pm. Expect late-night shopping, live music, street entertainment, extended opening hours at cultural venues and a cocktail trail. All your favourite businesses on Gandy Street and in the surrounding area will be open, including:

Boston Tea Party : Will be hosting an indoor market with Circular Social, featuring stalls from eco-conscious businesses offering sustainable goods. The bar will be open for drinks and hashbrown style street food.
Food and Drink: Red Panda will reopen for evening service with their favoured bao buns, Exeter Phoenix will be serving food alfresco, Pixy’s will be serving Soul Pizza by the slice and Chococo will have a host of mini treats including signature hot chocolate, mini gelato sundaes and quarter cakes.
Shopping: Many of the shops will be staying open late to join in on the action including Alchemy Boutique, Bang Olufsen, Flamingo Vintage, Floren Flowers and Wand Vintage. The Maker Mart will be holding a Makers Sale featuring ‘Meet the Maker’ and Mantis will have a table of offers exclusively for the event.
Entertainment: First Thursdays will bring a festival atmosphere to Gandy Street. The first event coincides with the Exeter Comedy Festival, with surprise comedy pop-ups and previews of upcoming shows throughout the evening. Visitors can also enjoy live music, jugglers and face painting, alongside pop-up Seed Talks from the University of Exeter, a Pilates demonstration from The Haven Pilates Studio, and more.
Cocktails: With several of the city’s favourite cocktail bars on the street, First Thursdays was always going to include a cocktail. The Cocktail Club, Crocketts, Coolings, Pixy’s and The Mermaid have joined forces to create the Cocktail Collective, with each venue developing a signature drink for the event. Expect everything from pina coladas to limoncello-inspired flavours, all with a special twist.
Exeter Phoenix: Experience creative activities spilling out of the front entrance, with dance demonstrations and various activities.
Exeter Library: Attend 'Writing in the City,' a live Royal Literary Fund panel featuring Edson Burton, Rebecca Tantony, and Babs Horton from 18:30–19:30, with tickets at £4 including readings and urban writing discussion. The foyer area will also be open as a book nook.

Those behind the project

First Thursdays has been spearheaded by Stephen Fisher; a local resident and Gandy Street aficionado who was inspired by similar events across the pond such as the Baltimore Dollar Stroll and Philadelphia’s First Fridays.

“Exeter’s my home, and I think it’s a fantastic city. After experiencing events in the US like the one in Philadelphia I thought, Exeter could do this.

"It’s been great working alongside InExeter and all the businesses on Gandy Street, and with everything we’ve got lined up for this first event, I really believe it’s going to be brilliant. I can’t wait to be part of it.”

Stephen initially approached InExeter, the Business Improvement District for Exeter about the project. Nicola Wheeler, CEO at InExeter says: "As InExeter, our role is to support and champion businesses and deliver projects that better the city.

"When Steve approached us, we could really see this working for Gandy Street.

"It’s fantastic that all the businesses in the area have got behind the project and we are really excited to launch First Thursdays in Gandy Street."

Chococo on Gandy Street will be taking part in First Thursdays. Liv Morgan, the Manager says: “We are really pleased to be taking part in First Thursdays.

"Gandy Street has such a special vibe, and we love seeing so many people enjoying the area. It is great to be able to stay open a little later and make the most of the long summer evenings, with a special take on our usual Chococo offering.”

Save the dates

There will be 4 First Thursday events: