Phoenix Plaque

Hughes Garage Phoenix

This fine emblem can be found in Princesshay Lane. It shows a Phoenix rising from the flames and represents the rebuilding of Exeter after the blitz of April and May 1942. It was placed on another site, in the centre of the old Princesshay, in 1957 by Hughes Garage.

A plaque under the piece stated –

Land Securities, the developers put a nicely restored Phoenix, on a wall in Princesshay Lane, next to Topshop.

In 1946 Thomas Sharp presented a plan for the rebuilding of Exeter. His Exeter Phoenix plan was designed to retain the historic feel of the city while at the same time create a modern city to serve the needs of its post war people. The rebuilding of Princesshay and the High Street were complete, but much of the rest of his vision was never fulfilled.

Princesshay Commemorative Plaque

The rebuilding commenced when Princess Elizabeth unveiled a plaque in Princesshay on 21st October 1949. All she could see of the new shopping precinct were pegs in the ground, laying out the position of the street and buildings. The north side of the High Street was complete by 1952, followed by Princesshay in the mid 1950's.

A plaque on the monument stated –

The Commemorative Feature and Plaque was removed and stored while Princesshay was redeveloped. At the time of writing, the Commemorative Plaque has not found a new home.