Victorian Shopping Arcade Restoration to be Undertaken by Original Installer

The company that originally fitted a glazed roof on a Victorian shopping arcade is slated to undertake its restoration after 125 years. Kirklees Council is committing £10m towards the restoration of the Grade II listed Dewsbury Arcade. Standard Patent Glazing, which installed the arcade’s initial glazed roof upon its opening in 1899, will be tasked with replacing the glass structure. Upon completion, the arcade will feature 16 small retail units, four larger commercial areas, and six upper-level studios suitable for artists, offices, or events. Both the council and the government-supported Town Deal Fund have each provided £2.57m for the initiative, supplemented by £4.55m from the National Lottery Heritage fund and an additional £600,000 from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Get Building Fund. Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for finance and regeneration, stated: “The Dewsbury Arcade is an iconic part of Dewsbury’s heritage, and the roof is its most prominent feature.” He added: “We’re thrilled to be able to work with Standard Patent Glazing, the company that originally installed the roof all those years ago.” Turner commented that engaging the original local firm represented a “fantastic nod” to the Dewsbury Board of Guardian, which commissioned the structure in the 1890s. He further remarked: “As we are now the guardians of the arcade, through this regeneration work, we want to take it back to its original glory and ensure it is fit for the next 125 years of retail in the town.” The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that, besides the glazed roof, the arcade, which has remained shut since 2016, contains 131 windows requiring conservation in accordance with Listed building planning regulations. GH Joinery, specialists in window restoration, have already commenced repair work, and any windows needing complete replacement will be substituted “like for like”. Additional tasks encompass restoring the York stone flooring, installing a new elevator, and undertaking electrical system upgrades. The Arcade Group, a community enterprise, will be responsible for managing and leasing the premises once the restoration is finalized.