Calls for crisis meeting after Woodies is stripped bare; Business leaders fear for future of historic arcades.

Byline: Abby Alford Chief Reporter

CALLS for a crisis summit to discuss the survival of Cardiff's unique arcades have been made following the sudden loss of city centre "icon"

Woodies Emporium.

Business leaders have voiced fears the city will lose "the jewel in its crown" if the arcades are allowed to die.

The closure of Woodies Emporium in the 112-year-old Morgan Arcade at the weekend follows the loss of other small and medium-sized businesses from the capital's 12 arcades in recent years.

David Hughes-Lewis, chairman of Cardiff Retail Partnership and owner of Jonathan David Jewellers in Morgan Arcade, told the Echo: "The arcades and the independent retailers that occupy them are what makes Cardiff unique.

"It's all very well having a Marks & Spencer and a John Lewis but so does every other major city.

"The arcades are the heart of Cardiff and no-one wants to see that heart ripped out."

The disappearance of Woodies comes just months after managing director Ray Bacon said he had seen a dramatic drop in trade due to Cardiff council's implementation of a ban on private cars using St Mary Street, one of the city centre's main arteries.

Other arcade traders have also complained about the lack of private car access to the one end of Morgan Arcade in St Mary Street and the other in The Hayes - rendered inaccessible by the development of the St David's 2 shopping centre.

But some business owners in Morgan Arcade, who did not wish to be named, said the problems ran deeper.

They have criticised the landlord, London-based Helical Bar, for long-running disruption caused by refurbishment work and for putting up rents, making it even harder for shops struggling in the face of the economic downturn to make ends meet.

Mr Hughes-Lewis has called on traders in Morgan and the Royal Arcade, also owned by Helical Bar, and Cardiff council to come together for a crisis summit in the new year to discuss how to save the arcades.

Paul Williams, Cardiff council's city centre manager, has backed the call, urging all parties to work together to preserve what he called "Cardiff's unique selling point".

He said: "The arcades are the heart of our city - the jewel in the crown.

"We need to make sure every effort is put into supporting independent trading and nurturing and attracting those entrepreneurs.

"None of us would like to see Cardiff in a 'me too' scenario with all the same high street chain shops as other cities and nothing else.

"I think collectively we need to sit down and discuss the way forward and not point the finger of blame.

"We need to consider how we can attract independent retailers and if we need better marketing."

Peter Clarke, of Helical Bar's Cardiff agents Oscar Clarke, said the company had a policy of always being available to discuss tenants' concerns.

He added he had already received three approaches from "good quality operations" interested in taking over the three units vacated by Woodies.

A spokeswoman for Helical Bar in London confirmed Woodies' departure had beenashock, but insisted the future of the arcades was secure.

She said Helical Bar had invested "substantial amounts" in refurbishing the arcades and vacant units and supporting traders, including Woodies, during the work.

"There is in no way, shape or form any kind of major concern about the longevity of the arcades.

"We are somewhat surprised by the dramatic withdrawal of Woodies.

However, we are in an extremely difficult retail environment and therefore we will continue to work with our existing retailers to support them during these difficult times."

She added it would be looking for new tenants for the units vacated by Woodies.

Ray Bacon, managing director of Woodies, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

'GHOST TOWNS' FEAR

EVERYTHING MUST GO

BUILT in 1896, Morgan Arcade has been a mainstay of Cardiff's shopping centre ever since.

Formerly owned by David Morgan, the Morgan and Royal Arcades were taken over by London landlords Helical Bar in 2004 before the company went on to take over the David Morgan building, transforming it into modern retail units with luxury apartments.

Arcade retailers first voiced fears over the future in late 2005. They said the closure of David Morgans and the start of work on the St David's 2 development in The Hayes was turning the arcades into ghost towns.

Among the businesses that have shut up shop in the last few years are: Toy shop Tweedle & Pip, pictured above, which pulled out of the Royal Arcade in February 2007;

Lazarou hairdressers, which left Morgan Arcade in autumn 2007;

and up market fashion boutique Prey, which vacated its Morgan Arcade outlet in November last year.

There are currently more than 20 businesses in Morgan Arcade, but around seven empty units, including the three vacated by Woodies.

Landlord Helical Bar said it was in the process of refurbishing vacant units and restoring the original Victorian shop-fronts.

[e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

SHOCK DEPARTURE: A closed and empty Woodies Emporium in Morgan Arcade Cardiff PICTURE: Andrew James Y; GOODBYE: Woodies' crest and the sticker saying the shop supports the re-opening of St Mary Street