Overton Arcade
{{Short description|Shopping arcade in Wrexham, Wales}}
{{use British English|date=May 2023}}
{{use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox shopping mall
| name = Overton Arcade
| native_name =
| image = Empty corridor (9286799582).jpg
| caption = The arcade on a non-trading day
| location = Wrexham, Wales
| coordinates = {{coord|53.044902|-2.992267|display=inline, title}}
| opening_date = 1869
| owner = Mr Moir ({{As of|2020|January|lc=y}}){{Cite web |title=Plans for refurb and change of use of former town solicitors backed by councillors |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/plans-for-refurb-and-change-of-use-of-former-town-solicitors-backed-by-councillors-179067.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}}
| architect = Mr Heywood
| mapframe-zoom = 17
}}
The Overton Arcade is a shopping arcade in Wrexham city centre, Wales. Built in 1868 and opening in 1869, the arcade connects Wrexham's High Street to Temple Row which passes along the churchyards of St Giles' Church. It is named after its proprietor William Overton and not the nearby village of Overton (also known as Overton-on-Dee).
Description and history
The arcade was built in 1868,{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Tim |date=2021-03-14 |title=A History of Wrexham |url=https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-wrexham/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Local Histories |language=en-GB}} and opened in 1869, It is named after the proprietor William Overton, who had served as mayor of Wrexham. It connects Wrexham's High Street to the churchyard of St Giles' Church.{{Cite web |title=Overton Arcade in the 19th Century – "Wrexham History" |url=https://www.wrexham-history.com/overton-arcade-19th-century/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927231154/https://www.wrexham-history.com/overton-arcade-19th-century/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=27 September 2020 |access-date=2023-05-18 |language=en-GB}}
The arcade's side facing the High Street is made of brick from the Ponkey Brick and Tile Company, and with stone dressings from the Dennis's Cefn quarries. The overall design of the arcade was described, when it opened in 1869, as "plain, with very little attempt at ornamentation", with the exception of flowers and fruits carved into the keystones present over the arcade's windows. The building rises {{Convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}}, with the roof being a "neat" cornice with capped chimneys. The front shop to the arcade in 1869 was {{Convert|25|ft|m|abbr=on}} by {{Convert|22|ft|m|abbr=on}}, with the showroom being {{Convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}} by {{Convert|25|ft|m|abbr=on}}. The roof of the arcade in 1869 was made of blue-painted iron, filled with rough plate glass. The shop fronts were also painted in two tints of blue at the time. There are wrought iron gates at both ends of the arcade, with the end facing the churchyard (to Temple Row, initially Temple-place) having two offices. The arcade's architect was Mr Heywood living on Queen Street in Wrexham at the time.
The arcade's passage is built into 31 High Street. A building had been present on the site since 1750, but the modern building and the arcade were built in 1868.{{Cadw|num=1787|desc=NO.31 HIGH STREET (S SIDE),,,,,CLWYD,|access-date=18 May 2023}}{{Cite web |date=2013 |title=No 31 - High Street (South Side) |url=https://www.buildingsofwrexham.co.uk/high-street-south-side/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406222533/https://www.buildingsofwrexham.co.uk/high-street-south-side/ |archive-date=6 April 2019 |access-date=18 May 2023 |url-status=usurped |website=buildingsofwrexham.co.uk}}
The arcade's name has led to beliefs that it was named after the nearby village of Overton, but it was named after the arcade's proprietor William Overton.
From the mid-1880s, the arcade became filled with more offices, with various auctioneers and estate agents opening in the arcade during this period.
The arcade faced potential long-term closure in 2014 following a decrease in the units in use, but re-opened in September of that year.{{Cite web |title=Wrexham's Historical Overton Arcade Reopens For Business |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/wrexhams-historical-overton-arcade-reopens-for-business-48393.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}} In 2019, plans were submitted to construct flats above the arcade.{{Cite web |title=Plans put forward for flats above former town solicitors |url=https://www.wrexham.com/news/plans-for-flats-above-former-town-solicitors-164560.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Wrexham.com |language=en}}
By 2020, the arcade had become a "hotspot" for independent shops in Wrexham.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-17 |title=Wrexham town centre is the ideal place to visit tonight to pick up a unique and special gift |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/18952277.268934691/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=The Leader |language=en}}