The Exeter Business Centre's aims are “to provide industrial and commercial work spaces of any kind including small workshops, studios, offices, yards or other premises or land to new sole traders, infant businesses and small firms whether corporate or incorporate”.

Exeter Business Centre Ltd. was set up by Exeter City Council in 1986 first called Exeter Workshops Ltd. and occupied 39 Marsh Green Road West which was converted from a Danish Bacon factory.

The name was changed in 1997 to Exeter Business Centre ltd. and has been in its current form since. The company is run on a not for profit basis, all the income from rents goes towards the running costs and rent for the building which is held on a commercial lease from a private landlord. Although the Company is wholly owned and run by Exeter City Council, the Council have no financial interest in the company.