Cooke & Arkwright
News
Post Office takes new premises in heart of Queens Arcade
20/07/06
The main Post Office branch in Cardiff city centre has moved from its old site in The Hayes to larger premises in the newly re-vamped Queen’s Arcade shopping centre.
It has taken two units - 9 and 10 - on the lower ground floor opposite Faith, which have been merged and refurbished to provide 5,400 sq ft of contemporary premises that deliver an improved, consumer friendly environment to its clients.
Huw Thomas of Cooke & Arkwright, who advised the Post Office on the deal, said that the move was good news for its customers. “This is a very central and accessible location,” he said. “We acquired premises that provide the Post Office with much more space than it previously had, in a prime location and at a competitive rate.”
The new City of Cardiff Post Office branch opened for business at 45/46 Queens Arcade, Queen Street, on Thursday 10th August 2006. Gareth Davies, Royal Mail Group Director of Welsh Affairs said: “I am delighted with the transfer of The Hayes Post Office branch to the new City of Cardiff Post Office branch in the city centre. Our customers now benefit from this brand new, large, state-of-the-art Post Office branch which has been fitted out to the very highest standards. The pleasant surroundings make it easy for them to carry out business with us, and the open-plan style serving positions add to a more customer friendly environment, without sacrificing privacy.”
Queens Arcade was acquired four years ago by Sapphire Retail Fund Limited and an average of 225,000 people pass through it each week. A £6.5 million facelift and internal refurbishment has provided the shopping centre with a vibrant new image, attracting more shoppers and making it a convenient location for the Post Office, which is expected to have a substantial impact on footfall. Leading fashion retailer New Look has opened an 18,000 sq ft flagship store at the entrance to Queen St and Footlocker have also opened a new Cardiff store. Key existing tenants include Gap, Argos and Disney.