LISTEN: St Nicholas Arcades shopping centre in Lancaster celebrates 35-year milestone

A thriving destination for shoppers in Lancaster city centre is celebrating a 35-year anniversary.

This year marks a major milestone in the history of St Nicholas Arcades - often known as 'St Nics' - which welcomes almost four million visitors each year.

It is 35 years since the original shopping centre was transformed via a redevelopment and refurbishment, completed in 1991.

The old 1960s/70s centre was largely demolished and replaced with the arcade layout seen today.

The project introduced a more contemporary retail environment while carefully preserving the listed front facade, which was dismantled and rebuilt to maintain its original appearance.

While this redevelopment brought a fresh new look, the centre's overall layout has remained largely familiar to generations of Lancaster shoppers.

LISTEN to Jolanta Cross, centre manager at St Nicholas Arcades, talking about 35 years of St Nics

Since the reinvention, St Nicholas Arcades has supported both independent and national retailers, combining well-known high street names with local services in a diverse mix, a balance creating the unique character St Nicholas Arcades is known for.

Now owned by Frasers Group, it today houses major brands including Boots, Next, Superdrug, Iceland and The Entertainer, dining and refreshments from Vincenzo's Cafe, Costa Coffee and Subway; and new additions such as Sports Direct, Grape Tree, My Dentist and Shoe Zone.

The centre remains deeply connected to local life, frequently hosting and supporting community events, often working alongside Lancaster BID.

Its 300-space undercover car park and close proximity to Lancaster Bus Station - just a two minute walk away - make it one of the main gateways to the city centre.

The occasion of its 35th birthday marks a significant date for the building, its shoppers, its businesses and its staff and contractors who help keep everything running smoothly every day.

To mark the anniversary, the centre will host a special birthday celebration event 'Spin the Wheel' on Wednesday May 27.

Visitors will have the chance to win prizes by supporting businesses in St Nicholas Arcades, in a celebration designed as a thank you to the local community for its continued loyalty and support over the past 35 years.

*This feature is part of the Lancaster BID Business Birthdays series.

Here are more photos of St Nicholas Arcades through the ages with some familiar names, past and present, readers may recognise.