Select a region
If you've not visited the Commercial Arcade recently, now may be the time to do just that, with a number of new shops opening alongside the long-established businesses and eateries already there.
Town may always feel busier during the summer months, but the renewed sense of economic activity is palpable walking around the Commercial Arcade.
One large retail space is being refurbished, signs herald the arrival of a new designer outlet, and while some 'to let' signs remain in the few empty windows, most of the units are showcasing goods or services for sale.
Pictured: Marco Tersigni - the man behind the recent 'then and now' photographic books of Guernsey - has previously shared these images on the Days Gone By Page on Facebook.
Having been built in the 1820s, the shopping area was intended to have a roof, but that never materialised when (reports said) the construction money ran out.
Instead the open air arcade remains so, with a network of shops, eateries and first floor residences.
During the first half of 2023 six new shops have opened, with one due to reopen soon, another unit soon to be opened as a new outlet and another looking likely to reopen in the coming months.
A planning application for visitor accommodation to be created within one of the corner units was submitted in May and is still pending.
Pictured: If plans are approved there will be retail and visitor accommodation together in this unit in the Commercial Arcade.
Among the new shops in the Arcade is The Writer's Block - which had a soft launch yesterday, as the island's only independent bookstore.
That prompted Express to take a walk through the Commercial Arcade to see what else is there to tempt us into spending some money.
First up, we noticed the ongoing work at Mappin and Webb, which makes the corner from the High Street into the Arcade.
The signs suggest it will reopen this month, with the final touches being made this week. A large investment is being made in the retail sector with an "expanded" and "refurbished" show room, while alongside the existing jewellers are signs of a new designer outlet selling Breitling and Omega 'luxury watches'.
Across from these high end retail units are HSBC, Habanero eatery, Hotel Chocolat, The Body Shop, Toni & Guy, and Sole Mates - which itself relocated to the Arcade 18 months ago and expanded its offering to include shoes for more age ranges.
Among them, with a delightful sign, is Hub 25 - seemingly selling gifts and local goods, but closed at the time of our visit as the shopkeeper had popped out for a swim.
Pictured: The shopkeeper at Hub 25 had "gone sea swimming" over their lunch break when we took a walk around the Arcade on Tuesday.
Maison Demain relocated from the Pollet to the Arcade earlier this year, and its sales assistant said she had seen a steady flow of customers throughout her shift and that she enjoyed working at the shop and within the Aracde itself.
The familiar sight and smells of Dix Neuf makes the end of this first stretch of shops on our trip around the Arcade, with a busker outside offering entertainment as part of the St Peter Port Street Festival.
Long established business Martin and Martin, and the cobblers, continue the theme of shops and services as we make our way around the corner, with a new creative space spanning two units opposite Fletcher Sports and Eleven.
Pictured: The 'community crafthouse' in the Arcade.
Staffed by two young ladies selling gifts as well as offering a chance to try out some art, 'Make and Made' is owned by Iris and Dora. This is a permanent base for the creative business in the centre of town after the success of its pop-up shop in what was H Samuel next door.
The former jewellers which spans the entire next two corners of the central block of the Arcade is now occupied by two separate retailers - The Collector's Corner which was busy with browsers and buyers during our visit and the Moochy Shop.
The Moochy Shop is a pop-up shop run by Jane, who said the Arcade has been such a great location for her retail outlet that she has extended her short term lease until the end of August.
Selling a variety of household items, including decorative throws, mirrors, ornaments and more, Jane used to sell her wares at Seafront Sundays and at the OSA Pop-up shop in Smith Street before taking on her current premises a few months ago.
Pictured: The Moochy Shop will be open until the end of August.
She welcomed the opening of the new book store in town and said it was a pleasure to see other shops opening up in the Arcade.
There is an existing book shop in the Arcade, at the very top of the steps up from Church Square. The second-hand emporium raises money for charities including the RNLI.
Hairdressers Manzur, and 37 continue the theme of service providers alongside shops with independent retailers Alt-Seen, Just Tech, Maison Michel, and Panache lining the next stretch of shops along with Carousel and Trespass.
Fuku, Bailiwick Botanicals, Guernsey Eyes, and the Co-op pharmacy are all also open for business too.
Some of the units in the Arcade do still remain empty some months or years after the former businesses closed or relocated, but the Guernsey Retail Group is confident in the increased footfall the area is experiencing.
Pictured: The Guernsey Retail Group monitors economic activity within the sector.
Data collated by the GRG shows that month on month each area within the Arcade is experiencing increased footfall.
This increased footfall continues through to the Market from the Arcade and Market Steps.
On average, between 18,000 and 38,000 people are estimated to use the Arcade each week.
Local retailers welcome increased cruise liner footfall
FOCUS: Retail is booming for one businessman
Retailers’ line up to oppose GST
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.