Date set for grand reopening of Dewsbury Arcade
The arcade had stood empty since 2016 before being purchased by Kirklees Council.
The timeline has been set out as Dewsbury Arcade is gearing up for opening following a multi-million pound revamp.
The arcade had stood empty since 2016 before being purchased by Kirklees Council. The Grade-II Listed building is undergoing extensive restoration works through a project in collaboration with the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board and the Arcade Group. This is one of the flagship projects in the Dewsbury Blueprint.
Once refurbished, the arcade will be the UK’s first community-run shopping centre, leased and managed by the Arcade Group. At the latest meeting of the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board, members heard an update on the progress of the development project.
A council officer explained that by current timelines, a completion date has been set for June 2, which it is hoped will be brought forward, followed by the soft launch by the Arcade Group in June or July. A grand opening is then expected to be held in September. Neighbourhood Board member and Chair of the Arcade Board, Jackie Ramsay, said she “couldn’t wait” for the arcade to be full of tenants.
Several key elements of the works have now been completed including glazed and slate roofing and lift shaft masonry. External shop fronts are being manufactured and scaffolding has been taken down at Market Place. According to the Arcade Group’s website, there are 40 live expressions of interest in units.
The scheme has come up against some obstacles along the way including problems with rot and decay that were found to be “far more significant” than first anticipated. This pushed the original opening date of Autumn 2025 back and saw an extra £1.3m reallocated to the £10m budget from unspent pots of funds, based on the “worst case scenario”.
Looking ahead, dry rot treatment will be completed, as well as rendering to the internal walls and the installation of flagstone. Shop fronts will also need to be installed and units fitted out.