Morpeth's Sanderson Arcade sees best footfall in six years

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jan 16, 2023

It’s not just the biggest UK shopping centres that have enjoyed success in 2022. Sanderson Arcade in Morpeth, Northumberland, said it has recorded the highest footfall levels seen since before the pandemic.

A record 80,000 visitors were recorded in just one week during the festive trading period, adding to the arcade’s 2.85 million visitors last year, a level of footfall not experienced since 2016.

Centre manager Lottie Thompson said:  “Our need for products and services is ever-changing but the drive to interact with people and experience social landscapes is consistent, if not more important to people than ever.

Because of its success, it said a number of well-established stores have reaffirmed their commitment to the centre with lease renewals and significant refurbishments. On top of that, the Sanderson Arcade expects to make an “exciting” announcement soon with new businesses opening in its two remaining vacant units.

The Arcade currently hosts M&S, Mint Velvet, Clarks, Next, Crew Clothing, The Body Shop, FatFace, Hobbs,  and Seasalt stores, among others.

A major attraction to the centre is its anchor independent department store, Sandersons Boutique, which has also celebrated a strong year. It introduced a number of new designer ranges to its store last year including Grace & Mila, Pretty Lavish and Frnch to an offer that includes Holland Cooper, Levi’s, Barbour, Barbour International, Whistles and Ugg.

Claiming the “most exclusive range of luxury fragrances outside of London” the store’s beauty department stocks Atkinsons, House of Oud, Chanel, Parfums de Marley, Initio, Montale, Robert Piguet and Marc-Antoine Barrois, with Miller Harris also added to the list last year.