Historic busy city arcade gets revamp

ONE of Birmingham’s oldest retail arcades has been given a £375,000 facelift ahead of the Christmas shopping season.

Piccadilly Arcade is home to a range of independent boutique shops and is now sporting new automatic glass doors installed at both of its entrances in New Street and Stephenson Street.

It has also been repainted and had the lighting upgraded to improve the retail experience.

Originally built as a cinema in 1910 which closed in 1926, the building was largely redeveloped into a shopping arcade.

The cinema’s original frontage can still be seen above the Stephenson Street entrance.

The arcade is fully let following a deal with Top Tailor which is expanding with a second shop next door, selling leather goods and accessories. Landlord Hortons’ Estate has agreed a ten-year lease on the unit.

Management surveyor Jeremy Boothroyd said: “It’s nearly 100 years since Piccadilly Arcade was first opened so it’s fitting that it has been given a facelift ahead of this significant milestone.

“As one of the main thoroughfares between Grand Central and New Street, Piccadilly Arcade sees a lot of footfall. Its ornate ceiling is also something of a visitor attraction.”

Other tenants include Cotswold Outdoor, and Faculty Coffee.