Footfall soars at Cardiff’s historic Morgan Quarter as retailers report strong sales growth
Footfall soars at Cardiff’s historic Morgan Quarter as retailers report strong sales growth
Visitor numbers at Cardiff’s Morgan Quarter have reached record levels, signalling renewed momentum for the city’s retail scene. The historic shopping destination, comprising the Morgan and Royal Arcades, welcomed 657,740 visitors in December 2024—a 23.5% rise year-on-year and a 62% increase on Christmas 2022.
The upward trend has continued into 2025, with each month outperforming the previous year. In April alone, footfall reached 386,383—a 19.6% increase on April 2024—buoyed by sunny weather and an increasingly diverse mix of retailers.
Despite wider retail challenges, many stores in the Morgan Quarter are bucking national trends. Centre manager Marika Jones attributes the growth to a combination of curated tenant mix, community spirit, and events-driven engagement. “These positive footfall numbers prove the Morgan Quarter is responding to changes in consumer habits and is increasing its popularity to visitors,” said Jones. “We’re continuing to see significant success for our newest businesses as well as our well-established favourites.”
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Retailers in the Quarter have reported strong sales, with several surpassing year-on-year performance benchmarks. The figures align with national data from Barclays, which reported a 4.5% rise in UK consumer spending in April 2025—the highest since June 2023—driven by increased appetite for non-essential spending such as leisure, dining, and retail treats.
Recent new arrivals—including sustainable fashion brand Finisterre, activewear specialist Sweaty Betty, dessert bar Chocomelt Station, Dino Fossils, and Naturiol Kitchen—have contributed to the Quarter’s rejuvenated appeal. Local independents like Arcade Wool Shop (run by a mother-daughter duo) and artisan sandwich spot Square and Fair have further enriched the Quarter’s offering.
Family-friendly events such as the Easter Egg Trail and Easter Eggstravaganza have drawn additional crowds, with specialist tea retailer Bird & Blend reporting a 30% sales uplift during the festivities. Meanwhile, community-led initiatives from non-profit Queer Emporium continue to attract strong public interest and footfall.
Jones added: “There is a real sense of community among the businesses here. Everyone wishes each other success, working together to encourage more people to visit these unique arcades.”
As Cardiff’s city centre continues to evolve, the Morgan Quarter is positioning itself as a vibrant, experience-driven retail destination that blends heritage charm with a modern mix of brands and businesses.
