Fenalla Keevil - Geography
Fenella Keevil
Additionality, as defined by the English Partnership Additionality Guide, “is the extent to
which something happens as a result of an intervention that would not have occurred in the
absence of the interventions.” (2008, p1). Creation of additional employment is key to
determining whether a development has truly created its own benefits rather than displacing
them from another area.
The maps only reflect a small change in the aggregate number of people working in retail
jobs in Exeter and regionally. However, surrounding Princesshay (Exeter 008C) jobs
increased from 1,707 in 2007 to 1,991 people in 2008. While boosting retail jobs in the
immediate region, Princesshay‟s wider impact was limited, as may be expected within a short
time period.
Although generating short-term employment, it is uncertain whether Princesshay genuinely
provided significant sustainable new jobs, benefiting the local population. Land Securities
acknowledges that of 1,500 jobs created only 900 were new (2007). The remainder being
substituted jobs from the old shopping centre. However, under the base case scenario, with
the diminishing shopping centre and resultant lack of demand, the number of jobs in the old
centre may have decreased.
With regeneration, it is not enough to create new jobs, if they are taken by people already
employed or living outside of the local area. To counter this, a local employment drive was
co-ordinated by Princesshay, on behalf of incoming businesses, to encourage local
unemployed people to be employed (Exeter Council). With good public transport links
Princesshay attracted locals to work there. Additionally, Exeter Council and Land Securities
sought to ensure local people had priority with job allocations; Wayne Pearce from Land
Securities, “the majority of employees are from within the city‟s catchment. Unemployment
rates within Exeter are relatively low, and Princesshay helped to reduce these further.” (July
2013).
Employee training for locals without the necessary skill sets was also provided. Pearce
confirmed that, “we currently work with Exeter College and local charitable organisations to
facilitate work experience and are currently, with the assistance of our security cleaning and
mechanical and engineering contractors, looking at ways in which apprenticeship schemes
can be implemented.” (July 2013).
However, Princesshay was blamed for some job losses. An Exeter food retailer closed with
60 job losses, blaming Princesshay (BBC News, 2007). Consequently, the number of jobs
truly created may have been lower than 900.
This raises the related issue of substitution and whether Princesshay created new jobs or
displaced them. Substitution occurs when somebody already employed in Exeter gives up
their existing job to accept one in Princesshay, due to, for example, ease of location, rather
than creating employment for an unemployed person. Although six retail units replaced same
use retailers, with over 70 shops located within Princesshay, the vast majority created new
economic activity (Princesshay Exeter website, 2013).
Additionally, some business closures may not be entirely the fault of Princesshay. One store
closure was a carbon neutral market, being expensive and niche it may not have survived in
any event.
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