Lorry strike forces glass removal at Exeter Guildhall entrance

Part of the glass façade above the main High Street entrance to the Guildhall Shopping Centre was removed and cordoned off after being damaged on Wednesday 25 February.

Shoppers reported seeing cracking to the glass panels above the entrance earlier in the day, with scaffolding and wooden boarding erected shortly afterwards as a safety precaution. The area remains secured while further investigations are carried out.

In a statement, Guildhall Shopping Centre confirmed that the damage was caused during a delivery.

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“A lorry making a delivery to a store on the High Street hit the glass façade which caused it to crack,” a spokesperson said.

The affected glass panels have since been removed.

“All the glass has been removed from the façade to make it safe. It is now surrounded by scaffolding and wooden board as a temporary measure. Investigative work and plans regarding the replacement are being carried out,” the spokesperson added.

The Guildhall Shopping Centre is owned by Exeter City Council. The council confirmed it is aware of the incident and that safety measures were put in place promptly following the damage.

Despite the incident, access to the centre from the High Street remains open as usual, with businesses continuing to trade. Pedestrian routes into the shopping centre have been maintained while the temporary scaffolding and boarding remain in place.

When asked about the expected cost of repairs, the shopping centre said: “Unknown currently while survey and insurance investigations are completed.”

No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.