St. Thomas Street, Palmer Arcade

The New Arcade was developed in 1876 on the site of the gardens associated with Frederick Lodge. The arcade had a glass roof. It was occupied by small shops including a Marks and Spencer Penny Bazaar (1900) and Mrs Palmer’s Music shop (1900). The latter came to occupy most of the arcade and the site became known locally as Palmers’ Arcade. The arcade was demolished in the 1970s to facilitate the extension of the Telephone Exchange.