Historic arcade is still thriving with customers old and new

A VAST and quirky market at the heart of a Southport high street attracts customers of different generations.

- BY BEN HASLAM

The Royal Arcade, owned and run by the Zachariah family since it was bought in 1998, has operated as an arcade on Lord Street in Southport since 1999. From the outside, it looks like another vast store front, but inside it is like taking a step back in time.

The arcade has upwards of 60 traders, according to manager and daughter of owner Marcel, Hannah Zachariah. Hannah had her first experience of her dad's business when she needed to raise £50 to buy herself a new pair of shoes from Next.

Like her siblings, she was forced to turn her hand to the family business and before she knew it, she was running the arcade as well as other properties in the town.

Now the 31-year-old admits the arcade holds a special place in her heart, with the maze-like building being a collection of random items to some, and a gold mine to others.

She said: "It's a huge store and I think, now with all the shops that have closed, it's the biggest on Lord Street.