Features / High Street
The Arcade in Bristol bucking the trend on the high street
With its majestic columns and ornate décor, The Arcade in the centre of Bristol is a relic of shopping from days gone by.
Crammed with a mismatch of small businesses, the historic thoroughfare between Broadmead and The Horsefair has been something of a forgotten spot for many years, dotted with empty units and a high turnover of trade.
Now on the verge of being completely full for the first time in two decades, the compact passageway is enjoying a resurgence in what commentators are hailing a “counter revolution in retail”.
With its assortment of largely independent and niche stores, The Arcade is bucking the trend of national decline that is seeing the closure of a raft of major high street stores.
The Arcade has been in the heart of Bristol since 1825
“We’ve become used to chain stores or ‘multiples’ like M&S, Boots, New Look and Primark dominating our high streets,” says Stuart Williams, director of letting agent Williams Gunter Hardwick.
“But that’s not how it used to be at all. People in Georgian Bristol would have shopped in The Arcade just like we do now, except the goods on offer were rather different.
“Look at the popularity of The Arcade and some of our suburban retail centres – like Gloucester Road, North Street and Clifton Village – as well as the smart new leisure and food hot spots like Wapping Wharf and established venues such as St Nicholas Market – and you can see that many of us are now looking to spend our shopping and leisure pounds in a very different way than even a decade ago.
“We can usually buy what we need online at a competitive price, so we go to the high street for something different or for a service. Now it’s all about the experience – which is where the independent retailer is making a comeback.
“Retail is evolving – and what we see at The Arcade is an important part of its future: for shoppers looking for something different, this is – literally – the counter revolution.”
From vaping to vintage, tech to tattoos, travel, tailoring and more, The Arcade in 2019 certainly has plenty to offer and a steady stream of people are passing through, or pausing for a shake or snack one recent Tuesday lunchtime.
Georgina McDougall, of Illustrate independent art collective says the business has opened a second store following its success in The Arcade
“It’s like its own little district,” says Georgina McDougall, of Illustrate independent art collective, which is situated within The Arcade.
“We started out as a little stall on the harbourside and St Nicks Market and then opened this shop as a collective of artists.
“We have just opened a second shop on Park Street too as this has done really well.”
Speaking about the need to address the fast fashion trend, she says the collective of artists all have a strong ethical and environmental ethos – something that is clearly resonating with customers.
Ruby Dahl of Sobey’s says it’s nice to be part of a business community in The Arcade
Within the tardis-like premises that is now home to Sobey’s vintage clothing store, assistant manager Ruby Dahl is busy behind the till.
She says that a few people have commented on how The Arcade has filled up, adding: “because we are an independent business, we find it really nice to having a community here.”
Ibrahim Razouk, owner of Needle & Thread, says he has seen businesses come and go over time in The Arcade
Pausing his sewing machine, Ibrahim Razouk, owner of Needle & Thread, says he has seen a fairly high turnover of units in his time there, adding that The Arcade has proved a good spot for his business.
Read more: ‘I don’t know where we’d be without high street investments’
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