Arcade is flourishing with new lease of life
CAMBRIDGE Walks Arcade in Southport, which adjoins and links in to The Atkinson, has not enjoyed the best of times over the past five years.
But then again, nor has retailing in Southport generally.
Dove Properties bought the 20-unit arcade in 2011 at perhaps its lowest ebb, with the former Sainsbury’s unit at the Eastbank Street entrance to the arcade standing empty, as indeed were the majority of the interior units.
The massive refurbishment works to The Atkinson were under way which meant there were leaks to the arcade roof and scaf- folding obstructing access. The arcade offered an unattractive environment for traders locally and the state of the national economy just made the situation worse.
Things are however now looking up for Cambr idge Walks.
Having dramatically reduced the rents to make units more affordable, Dove has been targeting re-letting key units at the entrances to the arcade.
Dove development manager Tim Warrell said: “Until the works to The Atkinson were complete, we had no hope of securing new tenants for the k e y units, but with the lettings to Th e Enter - tainer t o y retailer, Hu n g r y Monk restau - rant and Tap and Bottles, a beer bar and bottles shop, the arcade is taking on a new lease of life.
“We are delighted that these tenants are reporting good trade and that our long term tenant, Cranberry’s Coffee Shop, has been joined inside the arcade by The Cutting Room barber shop, and a new letting to Age UK for an insurance office has just completed.”
Having re-decorated the exterior of all units in 2013, Dove Properties plans to undertake further improvement works in early 2015, to help improve ambiance in the arcade.
There are still units to let on flexible lease terms, available through Southport agent Fitton Estates.
Mr Warrell said: “It will be good for Southport if 2015 sees Cambridge Walks complete the path to recovery and once again become the vibrant trading place it has been in the past.”