Westpoint Exeter (formerly Westpoint Arena) is a multi-purpose indoor arena and showground, at Clyst St Mary, near Exeter, England. The capacity of the venue is 7,500 people.[1] It hosts local concerts, fairs and exhibitions. Westpoint is the largest exhibition and entertainment venue in the South West and is located near to Exeter Airport.
Westpoint, Westpoint Centre | |
 The main arena in March 2010 | |
 | |
| Former names | Westpoint Arena |
|---|---|
| Location | Clyst St Mary, near Exeter, England |
| Coordinates | 50°42′47″N 3°26′26″W / 50.713135°N 3.440506°W |
| Owner | Westpoint Centre (Devon) Ltd |
| Capacity | 7,500 (concerts) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | May 1990 |
| Construction cost | £3 million |
| Architect | Devon County Agricultural Association |
| Website | |
| westpointexeter | |
Construction
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Westpoint's arena and showground was built on the former Ivington Farm to host the annual Devon County Show each May. The farm was purchased by the Devon County Agricultural Association, with work on the site estimated to have cost a further sum in excess of £3 million. 50,000 square feet of unobstructed floor space, and a building capable of seating 6,000 people opened in 1990. The 4,590 sq metre column-free main arena doubles as an exhibition area and, for the County Show, a cattle shed. Large car parks can accommodate well over 12,000 cars at any one time.[2]
The Association and its subsidiary company Westpoint Centre (Devon) Ltd rent the facilities out to event organisers during the remainder of the year.[3]
History
editIt has been the venue for the Devon County Show since 1990.[2] Since 2009, Westpoint has played host to a week of the Premier League Darts.[4]
The arena has hosted concert performances by acclaimed artists including Bryan Adams, David Bowie, Elton John, Lewis Capaldi, Manic Street Preachers, Meat Loaf, Morrissey, Muse, Oasis, Robbie Williams, Stereophonics and The 1975[5] as well as car shows such as the BHP Fuel Fest.[6] The venue has also regularly hosted shows such as Disney on Ice[7] and Holiday on Ice.[8]
The creation of a Nightingale Hospital at Westpoint Exeter during the UK COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis was announced in April 2020,[9] but the location was changed later the same month to a former Homebase store in Sowton on the outskirts of Exeter.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Venue Facilities - Westpoint Exeter - Event & Exhibition Venue in Devon". westpointexeter.co.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ a b "ExeterMemories - Devon County Show". www.exetermemories.co.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ "Devon County Agricultural Association". www.exeterchamber.co.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- ^ "Premier League Darts". Sporting Life. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ^ "Westpoint Exeter Concert Setlists". SetList.fm. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ BHP FUEL FEST June 14th Exeter, Devon bhpfuelfest.com, accessed 15 April 2020
- ^ "Disney on Ice to return for 2024 with shows celebrating Mickey, Moana and more". Devon Live. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Holiday on Ice, Westpoint Arena, Exeter and touring". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ A new NHS Nightingale Hospital will be opened in Westpoint Exeter westpointexeter.co.uk, accessed 13 April 2020
- ^ "Exeter's NHS Nightingale hospital moved from Westpoint Arena to new location". ITV News. 25 April 2020.
External links
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Media related to Westpoint Arena at Wikimedia Commons
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