Arndale in Partnership with Local Authorities : album of Arndale redeveloment schemes c1965 : Accrington and Lancaster, Lancashire
A remarkable volume consisting of a series of photographs of completed and proposed schemes developed by the Arndale Property Trust Ltd of Bradford, West Yorkshire, but whose influence was nationwide and indeed, in the case of their Australian develoments, worldwide. It is not dated but, given the schemes shown and their status I would say c1965.
Most British residents of 'a certain age' will recall Arndale Centres - the most lasting legacy of this development company that grew out of post-WW2 land acquisition and redevelopment opportunities. The name is a portmanteau, adopted when the company was formed in 1950, from the names of the founders - Arnold Hagenbach and Sam Chippendale. Their primary function was the redevelopment of central areas of towns and cities - those planned on comprehensive lines 'as suggested by the Ministry of Housing & Local Government but also more 'local' schemes where Arndale worked 'in partnership' with the local authority. These latter schemes were possibly where they 'scored' as many local authorities lacked the capital to acquire properties for comprehensive redevelopment whereas Arndale's developers pockets were deeper and more flexible.
The early schemes were often redevelopments along existing street lines that re-instituted shops often with offices to lease above, but, as the Sixties appeared, and following on from UK 'New Town' precinct developments and examples from the US, Arndale started to develop larger schemes of enclosed shopping malls and centres. Their largest, and probably greatest triumph, was that of the Arndale Centre in Manchester - a huge centre that took a very large chunk out of the existing city centre and that eradicated entire streets and street pattern.
When opened, and for many years after, Arndale's were highly successful. They often insisted on having some larger stores and 'anchor' tenants - such as F W Woolworth or Boots - to make schemes both worthwhile and to attract other smaller businesses and trade. They were seen as beneficial - sweeping away the old when Victorian buildings were regarded as 'tired' and much war damaged property was still extant. Now, with the benefit if hindsight Arndale's - and their competitors by other similar property companies - are seen as having been the first step in the homoginisation of the High Street. The architectural and build qualities were often not that high and the structures aged badly quite quickly. Many are now, in turn, being re-developed themselves. But, they play an important role in Britain's post-war social and economic history and the name is still familiar over 70 years on.
Again this shows two earlier schemes where existing street lines were retained. That in Accrington, Lancashire, was anchored by two big High St pulls - Marks and Spencer and F W Woolworth. The parade still stands but both these names have gone - Woolworth's totally and M&S having pulled out of a seemingly small reatil centre in 2016. I think Arndale went on in later years to construct a more comprehensive shopping centre in the town.
The block in Lancaster, dominated by the low rise offices, included a redeveloped entrance to the town's retail market.
Arndale in Partnership with Local Authorities : album of Arndale redeveloment schemes c1965 : Accrington and Lancaster, Lancashire
A remarkable volume consisting of a series of photographs of completed and proposed schemes developed by the Arndale Property Trust Ltd of Bradford, West Yorkshire, but whose influence was nationwide and indeed, in the case of their Australian develoments, worldwide. It is not dated but, given the schemes shown and their status I would say c1965.
Most British residents of 'a certain age' will recall Arndale Centres - the most lasting legacy of this development company that grew out of post-WW2 land acquisition and redevelopment opportunities. The name is a portmanteau, adopted when the company was formed in 1950, from the names of the founders - Arnold Hagenbach and Sam Chippendale. Their primary function was the redevelopment of central areas of towns and cities - those planned on comprehensive lines 'as suggested by the Ministry of Housing & Local Government but also more 'local' schemes where Arndale worked 'in partnership' with the local authority. These latter schemes were possibly where they 'scored' as many local authorities lacked the capital to acquire properties for comprehensive redevelopment whereas Arndale's developers pockets were deeper and more flexible.
The early schemes were often redevelopments along existing street lines that re-instituted shops often with offices to lease above, but, as the Sixties appeared, and following on from UK 'New Town' precinct developments and examples from the US, Arndale started to develop larger schemes of enclosed shopping malls and centres. Their largest, and probably greatest triumph, was that of the Arndale Centre in Manchester - a huge centre that took a very large chunk out of the existing city centre and that eradicated entire streets and street pattern.
When opened, and for many years after, Arndale's were highly successful. They often insisted on having some larger stores and 'anchor' tenants - such as F W Woolworth or Boots - to make schemes both worthwhile and to attract other smaller businesses and trade. They were seen as beneficial - sweeping away the old when Victorian buildings were regarded as 'tired' and much war damaged property was still extant. Now, with the benefit if hindsight Arndale's - and their competitors by other similar property companies - are seen as having been the first step in the homoginisation of the High Street. The architectural and build qualities were often not that high and the structures aged badly quite quickly. Many are now, in turn, being re-developed themselves. But, they play an important role in Britain's post-war social and economic history and the name is still familiar over 70 years on.
Again this shows two earlier schemes where existing street lines were retained. That in Accrington, Lancashire, was anchored by two big High St pulls - Marks and Spencer and F W Woolworth. The parade still stands but both these names have gone - Woolworth's totally and M&S having pulled out of a seemingly small reatil centre in 2016. I think Arndale went on in later years to construct a more comprehensive shopping centre in the town.
The block in Lancaster, dominated by the low rise offices, included a redeveloped entrance to the town's retail market.