The little Sunderland shopping arcade which felt the full force of a German bombing raid
If ever a shopping precinct could tell a story this little Sunderland arcade would have a huge tale to tell.
It was only a small venue but it was packed with history during its almost 100 years in existence and never more than in World War Two.
The full force of the blast in 1943
The arcade was damaged in an air raid in March 1943 and so was the neighbouring St Thomas's Church. The part of the arcade adjoining the church received the full force of the blast.
The roof of the arcade collapse and not one pane of glass remained in the shop windows.
Palmers was originally known as the New Arcade, and was an iconic Victorian-era shopping arcade in Sunderland city centre running between High Street West and St Thomas Street.
It opened in 1876 and featured independent shops, including the famous Palmer’s stores, before being demolished in 1972 to make way for a British Telecom exchange.
Leather shop and a tobacconist
The many fantastic retailers who were based there included Palmer's which sold music, toys, and prams, a leather shop, a tobacconist, Reeds jewellers, and a pet shop known as 'The Fishbowl'.
Willie Watson’s shop was great for all your sporting needs and there was Lermans toy shop where you could get train sets.
There was the tackle shop where you could buy fishing rods, and Browns the photographers.
The site where the arcade once stood was pictured in September 1972 when the bulldozers had almost completed their demolition job.
If you have memories of shops in Palmer’s Arcade, tell us more by emailing [email protected]
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