ARCADES PROJECT

Windsor Arcade in Penarth is another late-Victorian arcade along this stretch of the South Wales coast with so many vintage arcades. None of the original tenants from 125 years ago are still there, but some of the things they sell and trades they practised are still the same in 2024 as they were in 1899: so there is still a ‘traditional’ sweet shop, there are now two or three cafes, and perhaps ‘fancy goods’ have been replaced by the homeware and gift shop style common in the 21^st century.

There is also a busy book shop, an opticians, and even a rare sight these days, a busy greengrocer’s. A dancewear shop, a pet supplies business and a ‘juice bar’ complete the Windsor Arcade line-up these days, with lots of the shop fronts retaining original frames and woodwork. A glass ceiling runs the full length of the arcade, and on Windsor Road (Penarth’s main street) a splendid stone frontage, rising high up draws the eye up to the name of the arcade over the entrance today, but also high up carved into the stone, even if a little weathered these days.

The bookshop facing onto Windsor Road has perhaps the most attractive windows, with some stained glass and interesting window frames which stand out in the afternoon sunshine, which doesn’t reach most of the shops further into this arcade.

One vacant unit has a large painting of the arcade and of Penarth pier, with a reference to the arcade’s date of 1898 (when building started – it only officially opened half way through 1899).

My pick of the arcade’s past

Solomon Andrews was best known for operating bus and tram services (at first horse-drawn), first in South Wales, but eventually extending as far as London. With the money he made on the buses, he invested in land around Cardiff, including the site for the Windsor Arcade, which he had built between 1898 and 1899.

For anyone wondering what a ‘fancy good store’ sold, Mrs Thomas very kindly listed all the stock she was putting up for sale when she auctioned off the shop in 1907. Among the various items stocked were: accessories like handbags, combs, jewellery, but also a wide range of toys and sports gear, including buckets and spades or cricket kits; there were photo frames, postcards and even crockery in glass and china.

One December morning in 1926, an arcade shopkeeper was tricked by a thief who went off with a bag full of coins. Shortly after opening, Mrs Porter was asked by a customer for change for a shilling. She had to bring out her large bag of change and, after finding the coins required, left the bag on the till, while she went to the back of the shop, the thief nipping back in while she was gone, and making off with the whole bag.

December 1987 saw the arcade re-opening after an overhaul to restore its Victorian look, after what locals described as too much ‘1960s plastic’ had crept into the arcade over the years. There was a tea room in the arcade at the time of the re-opening, and the owner had the brainwave of asking an 85-year old neighbour (i.e. born shortly after Queen Victoria died) to perform the official re-opening, and take tea in his tea room to celebrate.

Sources for the above stories all from www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk, and specifically: 1) Western Mail, 24 November 1956, Reach plc; 2) South Wales Daily News, 17 April 1907 – National Library of Wales; 3) Western Mail, 21 December 1926 – Reach plc; 4) South Wales Echo, 12 December 1987 – Reach plc.

What memories do you have of visits in years gone by?

Have you got any good stories to add on the past of this arcade?

What’s your favourite shop in the arcade today?

Have you seen this arcade in any films or books?

My favourite shop in the arcade

Very difficult to choose between so many excellent businesses. Probably my vote goes to the bookshop, which holds lots of events with published writers. I bought a book by one local author, but I also popped into the sweet shop for a bag of my favourite salted licorice (don’t miss their vintage clock – made in Buenos Aires). And I loved seeing a greengrocer going so well and busy…

Is there a website for this arcade?

Not that I could see. And the arcade Facebook page was last updated 10 years ago… But quite a few of the individual businesses have an active online presence.