Digital & Media

A new podcast studio opens in Exeter, aiming to amplify unheard voices from the South West

A new podcast studio opens in Exeter, aiming to amplify unheard voices from the South West.

By Sinead Lomax, The Commons View | 20 July 2025, 08:51

A new podcast studio in the heart of Exeter is giving voice to local storytellers, campaigners, and creatives, offering professional-grade facilities at accessible rates for independent projects. Known as Echo Room, the studio is based inside a renovated railway arch near the Quayside.

The space was founded by former BBC sound engineer Leanne Murphy, who wanted to create an inclusive media hub outside of London. “There’s so much talent in the South West, but few places where people can produce and distribute their work affordably,” she explains.

Echo Room offers tiered access — from DIY booths with user-friendly recording gear to full-service packages that include editing, mixing, and promotional support. It’s already been booked by everyone from youth mental health charities to amateur history enthusiasts.

Workshops on podcast storytelling, voice presentation, and technical skills run weekly. “We’re not just giving people microphones — we’re teaching them how to shape and share their message,” says Murphy.

One standout show born at Echo Room is ‘Voices of the Exe’, a monthly series exploring life along the River Exe, with episodes featuring fishermen, artists, and migrants who’ve made Devon their home.

Local schools have started using the studio for media coursework and extracurricular projects. Teachers say the format encourages students to research, write, and reflect critically — all while developing confidence and public speaking skills.

Community partnerships have been key to the studio’s success. The Exeter Phoenix arts centre provides promotion, while a local tech co-op offers equipment support and digital hosting. This collaborative ecosystem lowers costs and keeps Echo Room rooted in its community.

Access is subsidised for marginalised groups through grant funding, and special ‘quiet hours’ are available for neurodiverse users. The aim, Murphy says, is to make the space “as welcoming as a library, as creative as a rehearsal room.”

With a waiting list forming and word spreading online, Echo Room plans to launch a sister studio in Newton Abbot later this year. Talks are also underway to partner with regional radio stations on a South West podcast showcase.

In an age when local media outlets are shrinking, Echo Room offers a compelling alternative: empowering people to document, celebrate, and question the world around them — in their own words, on their own terms.