Bristol property agency Williams Gunter Hardwick has been appointed to bring the retail offer of the city’s oldest shopping centre bang up to date.
The Grade II listed St James Arcade in Broadmead dates back to 1824 and its distinctive architecture owes more than a small debt to the ancient Greeks. But it still has a big part to play in the retail future of the city, according to Williams Gunter Hardwick., which has secured a joint letting agency instruction on vacant shops in the arcade.
The agents will work with the existing agent, Cardiff-based Oscar Clarke, as they look to reinforce St James Arcade’s position as “the heart of interesting shopping” in the city centre of Bristol. 
Top of their wish list for new occupiers are local, regional and national retailers with “something a bit different” to offer Bristol shoppers.
Williams Gunter Hardwick director Stuart Williams said: “If you look at the way retail has shifted in the last decade or so, it has been moving towards the specialist, innovative and service sectors – either providing something not available via the internet, or an outlet to complement the online offer.
“Today’s shoppers are voting with their feet for diversity and choice, which is why Bristol’s Park Street, Queens Road, Clifton Village and Gloucester Road are so popular. St James Arcade is ideally placed to offer that in Bristol city centre.”
The available retail units in St James Arcade typically have ground floors of around 200 sq ft – 1,500 sq ft. Mr Williams said the quirky and unique feel of the busy, covered thoroughfare provided best value space in Bristol’s central shopping area.
He added: “We want to make the St James Arcade as diverse as possible, and are targeting retailers in the fashion, footwear and accessories sectors. But it is also ideally placed for services such as chiropody, opticians and dentists; specialists such as arts supplies, vinyl records, fancy dress, and perhaps a charity outlet.”
The arcade has a particularly high footfall as shoppers use this as a route from Broadmead to the Primark and Debenhams department stores on The Horsefair.
Existing occupiers include Bakers Dolphin Travel who are opening from the end of March, Shakeaway, Old Guys Rule and a number of specialist occupiers selling gifts, silver jewellery, coffee, sweets, deli, hairdressers/barber/beauty, key cutting, e-cigarettes and toys.
