History
A Brief History of The Arcade
Like many other construction projects down the ages, the building of The Arcade in Dewsbury took longer than expected. Originally scheduled to open in 1897 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the long-reigning queen, the building was initially due to be named ‘The Victoria Arcade’. Given the unforeseen hold up and its eventual delayed opening in 1899 though, the simple title ‘The Arcade’ was thought more appropriate.
The Arcade was constructed according to designs by Albert Holmes Kirk of John Kirk & Sons, Huddersfield. Albert was the eldest of six children, three of whom followed in their father’s footsteps to become architects in the family business.
The building work, supervised by Mr Knowles, Chairman of the Dewsbury Board of Guardians, progressed over a series of separate stages. The late nineteenth-century buildings on Corporation Street were demolished first to make way for the northern entrance façade. The pre-existing buildings between Corporation Street through to Market Place were then gradually demolished to make way for The Arcade, with the construction work proceeding in stages as demolition advanced southwards. The early nineteenth-century buildings on Market Place were due to be demolished last to create the southern entrance, though the current fabric of the building suggests that the plans were changed, and the existing building was altered and retained. However, this building was fronted by the new façade, rendering this late revision invisible from street level.
Upon opening, The Arcade soon began to attract admirers from near and far. With fewer transport options, and given that incomes were much more modest than today, the early twentieth century was an era when it was not uncommon for people to holiday at friends’ or relatives’ houses not too far from home. Thousands of souvenirs and postcards were produced to target this potential market, and those holidaying or taking day trips to Dewsbury were spoilt for choice. Contemporary postcards of the town centre often feature Market Place, with The Arcade taking pride of place. The familiar first-floor lettering of Jubb’s tailors usually features prominently, though this signage was replaced by the equally familiar characters of J&B’s department store in the mid-1920s.
The Arcade was clearly much-loved and oft frequented by many of the townsfolk in the early years. Although few and far between, photos from this era often show locals smartly dressed for the occasion and promenading at leisure along the beautifully decorated rows of shop window displays. Perhaps they are perusing the products on offer at Blackburn’s Music Shop, Oates’ Wool Shop or D. Douglas Shoe Shop. With its impressive exterior facades, ornate shop fronts, decorative threshold tiling and splendid glass and cast-iron roof, The Arcade was quickly becoming the jewel in the crown of the town’s retail scene.
Although thriving and prosperous for the whole of the twentieth century, the 1950s and 1960s were perhaps the decades when both the town centre and The Arcade were at their busiest. Photos from the post-war era show Market Place thronged with shoppers, The Arcade providing a convenient and well-trodden shortcut between the bus station and the increasingly popular indoor and outdoor markets. Many locals still hold cherished childhood memories of this period, and fondly recall much-admired shops such as Forrest’s (fancy goods), Beaumont and Blackburn (electricals) and J&Bs department store.
Many more recall the nostalgic era of the 1970s and 1980s though, of course. Literally hundreds of locals remember buying their first record at Auty’s Music Shop, though not all can remember (or will admit to) what it was. Others recollect buying their ‘best’ footwear at Ivor Burns’ Shoes, choosing a ‘back-to-school’ satchel for the new academic year at Walco Leather Goods or queuing in anticipation outside Ann’s Pantry, purveyors of the best Eccles Cakes in Dewsbury.
Following a partial refurbishment in the late 1980s, The Arcade experienced a brief renaissance. Fresh signage, new decorative lanterns, restored shop frontages and re-laid paving gave a shot in the arm to the fondly remembered shops from that era: Candyman, Hidden Treasure, The Final Touch. Before too long, however, it became increasingly clear that The Arcade’s golden years were coming to an end.
Treasured memories of The Arcade’s heyday are often tinged with sadness when recollecting its gradual decline over the last two decades. The closure of Marks & Spencer, the financial crisis of 2007-08 and the gradual growth in popularity of online shopping all dealt heavy blows to The Arcade. One by one the tenants put up the closed sign, the last few proprietors finally leaving in 2016, ending the first chapter in the proud history of The Arcade.