St. Davids Shopping Centre

There's a relatively recent letting brochure which I just came across online;

https://listingsprod.blob.core.windows.net/ourlistings-gbr/84441a1e-8968-4bee-beb1-d26220f7b036/f441eaa8-8a16-4700-9199-9207fbe683dc

I thought there would be some letting info for the new City Square as it's mentioned on page 3, along with 'other exciting new improvements', but there isn't any detail. The letting plans show the ongoing issue with empty units in the Upper Grand Arcade at the John Lewis end.

The Hollywood Bowl unit can be seen but it's not referenced so assume this was made before the lease was signed. It looks like it can be accessed from the food area where the loos are.

Queens Arcade is just shown as adjacent with no detail.

Interesting passing mention of Queen's Arcade in the Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/15/zip-wires-darts-wild-swimming-why-shopping-centres-are-trying-new-ways-to-bring-in-customers

In Cardiff, the former Queens Arcade is in the process of being reinvented as a “leisure mall” with live performances, sporting areas – courts for the increasingly popular padel – and interactive exhibitions and theatrics using digital projection.

No further details given.

Interesting passing mention of Queen's Arcade in the Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/15/zip-wires-darts-wild-swimming-why-shopping-centres-are-trying-new-ways-to-bring-in-customers

In Cardiff, the former Queens Arcade is in the process of being reinvented as a “leisure mall” with live performances, sporting areas – courts for the increasingly popular padel – and interactive exhibitions and theatrics using digital projection.

No further details given.

So the full redevelopment is off? That's a shame as the building is very dated and the previous plans looked really good. There'll be a lot of leisure in St. Davids by the time the Hollywood Bowl opens and the new city square is built.

Kenji has opened a new store in unit LG09 (the unit previously occupied by Lego).

They join Sephora (MSU08), Mango (UG09), Lego (LG08), Mr Simms (CW7) and Moss Bross (UG30/31) as H2-25 new openings at the centre.

Would be great to see Uniqlo occupy units MSU05 & UG25/26 (previously Gilly Hicks and Monsoon). Combined, these units add up to ~18,000 sq ft which is close to Uniqlo’s UK requirements.

LandSec have submitted a planning application to amalgamate units MSU05, UG25/26, UG24, UG23 and UG22. The proposed shopfront drawings indicate Uniqlo will be the tenant (although all planning documents redact the brand name). The opening of Uniqlo will be a big coup for St. David’s & Cardiff… It’ll also be great to see this stretch of units fully occupied again.

This large amalgamated unit incorporates units that are currently occupied - BoConcept (UG24) and Auntie Anne’s (UG22). Could we see these stores move elsewhere in the centre? I highly doubt BoConcept will relocate.

With the relocated Crew Clothing opening imminently, PureSeoul, Which Wich and Charles Tyrwhitt opening before the end of the year and Hollywood Bowl and JD opening in 2026, St David’s is certainly in its prime era!