Plans submitted to transform Cardiff’s Queens Arcade into F&B and leisure destination

Planning has been submitted to transform Queens Arcade in Cardiff into a new food, beverage and leisure destination.

Landsec, the owner and operator of neighbouring shopping centre St David’s, has submitted the first phase of plans which include three new restaurants.

The plans also include enhancements to the building’s façade to elevate the aesthetic while retaining its distinctive grand entrance.

Landsec intends for future phases of the transformation to build on the hospitality and leisure offer in the coming years.

Tim Treadwell, head of retail portfolio at Landsec, said: “These plans represent the next step in our long-term commitment to Cardiff and our vision for the future of St David’s. Landsec has had a long association with the city and we’re excited about its future as one of the UK’s most attractive destinations for retail, leisure and hospitality.

“We believe that our plans for Queens Arcade will help unlock its full potential, bringing even more of what people want to this exciting and growing city. As St David’s continues to go from strength to strength, this investment will build on that success, helping St David’s remain fresh and relevant, a go-to destination for new brands and guests alike.”

Landsec is one of Cardiff’s largest investors, having bought full ownership of St David’s in 2023 following significant investment to reinvigorate the shopping centre.

It continues to position St David’s as an all-day destination with footfall outperforming market benchmarks, with a growth of 2.1% over the last 12 months, compared with -0.3% across UK shopping centres and +0.8% across Cardiff.

St David’s will become home to the UK’s largest Hollywood Bowl, set to open later this year, featuring the operator’s first-ever e-karting concept. 

Along with the transformation of neighbouring Queens Arcade, the landowner hopes its investments will elevate the appeal of Cardiff city centre as an all-day retail, leisure and hospitality destination.

Photo: sv.stats/Shutterstock