Golden Cross shopping arcade off Cornmarket looks 'empty and forgotten'

Golden Cross, off Cornmarket Street, has more than 15 retail units and provides one of the entrances to the historic Covered Market, but nearly half are empty and there are now plans to turn one former cafe into flats.

Tough trading conditions on the high street have led to closures and now the courtyard area is virtually empty - despite Cornmarket having the highest footfall figures.

READ AGAIN: The number of shoppers in Cornmarket has fallen 

Opticians iGlasses closed last year, and Shakeaway milkshake bar has also shut, together with Cafe Golden Cross, which could be converted into two studio apartments.

A former handicrafts store has also closed but some shops and restaurants in the arcade remain busy.

These include Pizza Express, Holland & Barrett health food store, Coba tea bar, Amy Nails, Beauty 4 You beauticians, a currency exchange, and a Chinese acupuncturist.

Some of empty units, including the former Cafe Golden Cross, are being marketed by Oxfordshire-based VSL property consultants on behalf of the owners, London-based Devonshire Investment Holdings.

But if no other business steps in to take over the lease at the cafe then it could be turned into studio apartments.

Graham Jones, a spokesman traders' group ROX - Promoting Oxford Business - said: "Golden Cross is a great space and should be a prime shopping location as it's just off Cornmarket but right now the courtyard is looking rather empty and forgotten.

"We have been concerned about this for a while as it looks so derelict and that doesn't encourage shoppers to come in and continue their journey into the Covered Market.

"One trader, who was a member of ROX, moved out because she thought the rents were too high, even though the location was good.

"It certainly won't revitalise Golden Cross if the cafe does get turned into flats - I think the arcade should remain as a mix of retail and restaurants."

Mr Jones suggested that the courtyard would also be an ideal space for outdoor theatre performances by the Creation Theatre group.

VSL's owner Richard Venables confirmed arcade owners have been considering a change of use for the former cafe.

He added: "There is a really good opportunity for a cafe operator and outside seating can be provided - the area could be buzzing."

Jaicke Jie, who helps to run Coba Bubble Tea cafe in Golden Cross Walk, said: "It's a bit quiet at this time of year - it would be much better if the empty units were filled."

Paul Birtles, who runs the Garden of Oxford flower shop in the Covered Market and is chairman of the Covered Market Tenants' Association, said traders wanted Golden Cross to be vibrant as it was an important access point for the market.

He added: "It's disappointing to see it under-occupied."

READ MORE: Mani mural brightens up Covered Market entrance.

Shoppers Brian Mainland, 80, and wife Margaret, 79, from Marston, said they were sorry to see part of Golden Cross so empty.

Mr Mainland said: "This place has lots of character and if you turn a cafe into flats it takes that away."

Last year it emerged there a decline in footfall in Cornmarket Street of 4.6 per cent in the 12 months after the revamped Westgate Centre opened in October 2017.

But it remains the street in the city centre with the highest footfall.

Graham Watson, asset manager for one of the landlords of the arcade Devonshire Investment Holdings, confirmed the change of use application for the cafe but would not comment further.

READ AGAIN: New sports store opening at Covered Market

Tom Jennings, spokesman for Oxford City Council, said: “We’ve taken significant steps to improve the look and feel of Oxford Covered Market over recent months, and we’ve been successful in attracting a host of new tenants – including a fishmonger and sports store opening this month – and renewing the leases with existing tenants.

"We also worked to improve the physical appearance of Covered Market at the entrance to the Golden Cross arcade, bringing in local artist Mani to brighten up the walls and commissioning Aria Photography to produce pictures of traders in action. We would very much like to see the owners of the Golden Cross take a similar approach, particularly as their arcade immediately adjoins the Covered Market.”