Market Arcade (Welsh: Arcdêd y Farchnad) is a city centre Victorian shopping arcade in Newport, Wales. It also serves as a pedestrian route between High Street and Newport Market.
| Market Arcade | |
|---|---|
Arcdêd y Farchnad | |
 The High Street entrance to the Arcade, shown post-renovation | |
 | |
| Former names | Fennell's Arcade Flower Arcade |
| General information | |
| Status | Renovated (2022)[1] |
| Type | Arcade |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Classification | Grade II listed building[1] |
| Location | Newport city centre |
| Address | Market Arcade, NP20 1FS |
| Town or city | Newport |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°35′22″N 2°59′48″W / 51.58943°N 2.996657°W |
| Opened | 1869 |
| Renovated | 1905 2022[1] |
| Renovation cost | £1.1 million[1] |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect(s) | Davies Sutton Architects |
| Renovating firm | Anthony A. Davies Ltd |
| Other information | |
| Public transit access | Newport railway station |
| Website | |
| Market Arcade site | |
It is the second oldest Victorian arcade still in operation in Wales, the oldest in Newport, and one of the oldest in the UK.[1]
History
editThe Arcade opened in 1869 when it opened as Fennell's Arcade.[1] It became known as Flowers Arcade in the early 20th century, reflecting the businesses that were present.[2] In the 2000s, prior to renovation, the arcade was unlit, in structural decline, and it was the site of regular anti-social behaviour[3] and damage. In November 2020 a public space protection order was put in place to enable police to restrict access at certain times, and issue fines of up to £1,000.[4]
Renovation
editNewport City Council obtained National Lottery Heritage funding in 2018 for a £1.1 million renovation of the Arcade.[1] The project was awarded to contractors Anthony A Davies and heritage architects Davies Sutton.[5] The renovation was affected by the COVID-19 outbreak which pushed back work by contractors Anthony A. Davies until June 2020.[1] It began a phased reopening throughout 2021, first with weekday openings and European Heritage Days tours taking place for local schools and community groups.[1] Exterior scaffolding was removed in December 2021 and a completion date was set for January 2022.[6]
Occupants
editThe Arcade consists of a number of freeholds with separate owners. A number of buildings are leased to occupiers.[7] It is currently set to open as a mix of offices, co-working spaces, and traditional retail units.[8][1]
Gallery
edit-
Market Arcade, including entrance blocks in Market Street & High Street -
Northern entrance to Market Arcade, Newport -
Market Arcade looking towards a side entrance of Newport Indoor Market -
Market Arcade in a run down condition -
Market Arcade in 2020, when renovation was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic -
The signage adorning the High Street side entrance in 2022
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References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "This is how you can take a behind the scenes tour of Newport's Market Arcade". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ "Market Arcade | Newport City Council". www.newport.gov.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ Day, Liz (2020-07-17). "Armed police confronted man with knife in city centre arcade". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ "Market Arcade PSPO | Newport City Council". www.newport.gov.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ O'Neill, Ryan (2020-02-07). "City's historic shopping arcade set for £1.1 million revamp". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ "Look inside: Newport's Market Arcade restoration nearly finished". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
- ^ Newport Market Arcade - Restoration in Action, retrieved 2022-01-19
- ^ "Newport renovation projects take shape as senior figures visit for tour". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 2022-01-19.