Owner of independent shop says lower rents and rates in arcade allow him to expand his business despite it being a ‘tough time’ for retail
Independent shop Secrets of Wales has moved from St David’s shopping centre to the Morgan Quarter because the founder feels the arcades are a more beneficial location for his small business.
The shop, which sells only Welsh products, launched on the16th November. They are opening their new Welsh-produce cafe on 1 December.
Ian Paul, the shop owner, said after two year in St David’s he decided to move to be among other small businesses in a historic Welsh location. He added the lower rents and rates in the arcades were a “substantial” factor in the move.
The shopkeeper said escalating costs for amenities such as water and electricity have been crippling in recent years.
This is confirmed by a survey by Close Brothers Asset Finance which found the rising cost of doing business had affected 71% of small and medium business owners in the UK in 2024.
Paul added that people have less disposable income due to the cost-of-living crisis, making it “quite a tough time in the retail game”.
This month, Bevan Foundation, a Welsh think tank, published a report which found that despite inflation rates falling, many people remain unable to afford the essentials in Wales.
Despite these challenges, the reduced costs of being in the arcade has allowed Secrets of Wales to expand with their new cafe.
Their new cafe will be the end point for historical walking tours around Cardiff’s arcades.
Alongside the financial benefit, the 58-year-old said “you can’t measure” the value of being in such a historic location, surrounded by other small businesses.
The beauty of the arcades and concentration of small businesses means that it has become a shopping destination for those looking for an alternative to big-brand, commercial shops.
Abbie Downey, director of Maple & Bean, said the main reason she chose to expand her brunch cafe into the arcade was the architecture.
Paul said while their footfall was greater in St David’s, he noticed customers who visit come purposefully to shop from small businesses.
“People come to Cardiff just to see our arcades, to be part of that is beneficial”, he added. “We love it.”