1-22 The Arcade
Dewsbury WF13 1AB
Retail Property For Lease · 400 SF

THE ARCADE, DEWSBURY - RETAIL UNITS, ARTIST STUDIOS AND WORKSPACE TO LET A rare opportunity to take space in a Grade II listed Victorian shopping arcade in the heart of Dewsbury town centre, fully restored and reopening in September 2026 as the first community-owned shopping arcade in the country. Built in 1899 to a design by Albert Holmes Kirk, The Arcade was one of the town's best-loved buildings until it closed in 2016. Following a £4.5m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to Kirklees Council, the building has undergone a comprehensive restoration and will reopen under a long lease held by The Arcade Group Dewsbury Ltd, a community benefit society with over 200 local shareholder members. The result is 28 units over three floors offering affordable, flexible and genuinely well-supported space for independent retailers, makers, artists, therapists, service businesses and online sellers looking for their first physical presence. THE ACCOMMODATION - 16 small shop units within the arcade walkway, from approximately 81 sq ft (7.5 sq m) to 215 sq ft (20 sq m), with the potential to combine adjoining units to create larger shops - 4 larger two-storey "bookend" units fronting Market Place and Corporation Street, from approximately 318 sq ft (29.5 sq m) to 457 sq ft (42.5 sq m) per floor, with prominent street frontage and return display windows - 8 artist studios at first floor level, from approximately 124 sq ft (11.5 sq m) to 221 sq ft (20.5 sq m), each with its own individual access, suited to artists, makers, therapists and small creative businesses - Upper floor sales, office and workshop suites from approximately 366 sq ft (34 sq m) to 1,211 sq ft (112.5 sq m), suitable for offices, studios, treatment suites, community uses and larger retail or showroom requirements - A dedicated 124 sq m events room at second floor level (60 person capacity, lift served), used for the Arcade's own events programme and available for tenants to hire The arcade walkway has been relaid so that every ground floor shop is level and accessible.