Nelson Arndale Centre

[karatekid]

Shuts its doors for the final time this coming weekend. Despite its current state it used to be a thriving shopping centre in the eighties and nineties with many household names. I can recall Ames record shop as one I used to frequent and the Wimpy up the stairs on the balcony. Co-op, travel agents, etc.
Yes it’s time to move on but does anyone have any memories of this place back in the day?

[FeedTheArf]

Shuts its doors for the final time this coming weekend. Despite its current state it used to be a thriving shopping centre in the eighties and nineties with many household names. I can recall Ames record shop as one I used to frequent and the Wimpy up the stairs on the balcony. Co-op, travel agents, etc.
Yes it’s time to move on but does anyone have any memories of this place back in the day?

Is it really? I knew it was going but didn't know it was so soon.

[jrgbfc]

Remember getting dragged there as a kid most Saturday mornings. Sad to see whats become of Nelson.

[karatekid]

Is it really? I knew it was going but didn't know it was so soon.

Ah maybe you are right. Someone told me that a retailer in the arndale said they were closing this weekend. It could just be that the shops are pulling out over the coming weeks before full closure.

[LoveCurryPies]

Think it opened in the 1960’s. It was ok but quite limited given its small size.

[ChrisG]

Shuts its doors for the final time this coming weekend. Despite its current state it used to be a thriving shopping centre in the eighties and nineties with many household names. I can recall Ames record shop as one I used to frequent and the Wimpy up the stairs on the balcony. Co-op, travel agents, etc.
Yes it’s time to move on but does anyone have any memories of this place back in the day?

In the mid to late 90s, my dad used to pick me up from Nelson bus station after school on a Friday, and we'd go up the café on the balcony, but it was a Burger Chef as opposed to Wimpy at this point. Always had a plain chicken burger and a coke.

Then over to Woolies for a pick n mix.

Halcyon days.

[Woodleyclaret]

When we moved up to Nelson in 2004 we used to visit the Arndale for cooked pressed beef and excellent beef pies something unheard of in Reading Gradually everything shut down as a disinterested Pendle BC allowed it to fall into disrepair along with boarded up streets
Schemes were devised to benefit local councillors who also happened to landlords to the detriment of the town.A grant was given to undo the 80s pedestrianisation and create a through road
All this did was allow people to drive through without stopping and create a parking place for loads of unneeded taxis
The idea of taking over non functioning local councils is definitely overdue and Pendle BC needs abolishing asap

[TheFamilyCat]

The Chinese kid who fixed watches in Gentleman John's on the balcony who everyone thought was a genius.

[bobinho]

Nelson is an absolute disgrace.

[Bosscat]

Nelson is an absolute disgrace.

ha-ha-point.gif (356.6 KiB) Viewed 3597 times

[dushanbe]

Probably just about right behind where those lads are on the balcony was ‘spaceage’ a computer games shop that I frequented a lot in the mid 80s

[Clovius Boofus]

Last summer I went to Nelson town centre. Can't remember why, but I know I was shocked at its decline, and not just the Arndale. I also walked down the pedestrian part of Scotland Rd and was greeted with litter, dogshit, and weeds growing out of pavement.

[FeedTheArf]

I only go in there for the Allsorts shop and they’d been told they could still trade until around Sept/October this year. Things might have changed though.

I think Card Factory might be going soon

Sooner they demolish it all the better.

[BigChaCha]

by bobinho » Thu Jan 30, 2025 4:48 pm

Nelson is an absolute disgrace.

People need to be arrested for what they have done to this country... Take a look at the 'NELSON LANCS 1962 The Good Old Days Part 6' video below and you will not believe the difference to what it is now... It is soul-destroying what we have lost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5koTcAl0Exw&t=5s

There are about 7 videos in total I think if you search after watching this one.

[get stuck in tracy]

What a change since its heyday. Burtons, Currys , Tescos, Gas Board , Electric board, Redifusion/Granada, coop, Boots, Carstuff, Ames, In Focus camera shop, Wimpey! Ronnie Claytons card shop. There wasnt much that you couldnt get there

[BigChaCha]

I have just found a channel with all 7 videos on... How Nelson used to look... Shocking...

https://www.youtube.com/@NelsonLancs

[bobinho]

ha-ha-point.gif

I don’t know what this is supposed to mean.

[Jamesy]

Nelson is an absolute disgrace.

It’s not that good!

[Clovius Boofus]

I've remembered why I visited Nelson town centre. I called into Boyces for a camouflage jacket, but try as I might, I just couldn't see any in the shop.

[AmbleClaret]

Used to go at weekend with grandparents, early '70s I think,it was newish and quite futuristic for the times, an indoor modern shopping centre with an escalator and chandeliers. As had been well pointed out, Nelson had declined hugely since then,sad to see.

[Row x]

Went to Ames in the 70s, don't remember many other stores.
I haven't been back since, looks like I haven't missed much.

[DCWat]

I've remembered why I visited Nelson town centre. I called into Boyces for a camouflage jacket, but try as I might, I just couldn't see any in the shop.

Was the joke shop closed, too?

[mikeS]

Whatever happened to SANDS?

[expoultryboy]

Used to go to the record shop downstairs and then broken biscuits from the shop at the bottom of the escalators . That was in the seventies and the place was thriving .

[lrac]

If I member correctly my dad used to take me to the outdoor market .it seemed massive to me .long time ago

[Lip]

People need to be arrested for what they have done to this country... Take a look at the 'NELSON LANCS 1962 The Good Old Days Part 6' video below and you will not believe the difference to what it is now... It is soul-destroying what we have lost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5koTcAl0Exw&t=5s

There are about 7 videos in total I think if you search after watching this one.

Absolutely spot on Cha Cha,I'm a Nelson lad born and bred .. it makes me weep when I see what it's like now and what it used to be like in the late 50's and 60's .. It used to be a town to be proud of,now it's just a dump!.

[BigJay]

Very sad. From Colne, I used to spend Saturdays in Nelson centre after playing football in the morning, then a bus from Nelson to the turf when Burnley at home. Remember well the shitty bus station, 50p kids tickets at the grand cinema, the snooker hall down the arcade, woolworths opposite the arndale and remember the fountain in the middle of arndale, spending my money in the record shop there or the cafe upstairs. By the late 80s would go from Nelson and Colne college into the arndale, but by then it was already in decline. I too went into Nelson centre last year after visiting my dad at the Pendle hospital, had a quick walk around and was shocked how unwelcoming it looked and didn't feel like being in England, more like a foreign 3rd world country. Lots of other northern town centres have gone the same way, Accrington and Rochdale spring to mind, but none worse than Nelson. It's sad, but then again this country is broken beyond repair now, decades of poor political leadership, lack of investment and an open door policy on immigration and doesn't feel like home anymore. I suppose we often look at the past with rose tinted specs on but what an awful place Nelson town centre has become, so no surprise the arndale is closing.

[GetIntoEm]

My old stomping ground as a kid. Used to be a good shopping centre.

It was burger chef when I was a kid rather than wimpy.

[helmclaret]

Very sad. From Colne, I used to spend Saturdays in Nelson centre after playing football in the morning, then a bus from Nelson to the turf when Burnley at home. Remember well the shitty bus station, 50p kids tickets at the grand cinema, the snooker hall down the arcade, woolworths opposite the arndale and remember the fountain in the middle of arndale, spending my money in the record shop there or the cafe upstairs. By the late 80s would go from Nelson and Colne college into the arndale, but by then it was already in decline. I too went into Nelson centre last year after visiting my dad at the Pendle hospital, had a quick walk around and was shocked how unwelcoming it looked and didn't feel like being in England, more like a foreign 3rd world country. Lots of other northern town centres have gone the same way, Accrington and Rochdale spring to mind, but none worse than Nelson. It's sad, but then again this country is broken beyond repair now, decades of poor political leadership, lack of investment and an open door policy on immigration and doesn't feel like home anymore. I suppose we often look at the past with rose tinted specs on but what an awful place Nelson town centre has become, so no surprise the arndale is closing.

Yep blame the immigrants! Pathetic.

[Clovius Boofus]

Accy is doing better than Nelson - it still has pubs. One even reopened last year after being shut for yonks, and there are also a handful of new bars.

Remember, support pubs or lose them. Even if you only call in for one or two beers every now and then. It all helps.

[AmbleClaret]

Accy is doing better than Nelson - it still has pubs. One even reopened last year after being shut for yonks, and there are also a handful of new bars.

Remember, support pubs or lose them. Even if you only call in for one or two beers every now and then. It all helps.

I try my best everywhere I go

[Loyalclaret]

Nelson born, went to school, grew up there and worked there occasionally. It is terrible what the town council have allowed over many years.

The arndale has been bad for a number of years but now the staff are forced to wear hats/scarfs because it is so cold, the downstairs market obviously went, there are a small number of shops trying to keep going - I have no idea why. With so much available space in the arndale, why were Wilkinson allowed to build a horrible extension in the middle of town? It used to be a place with numerous shops, no need to go elsewhere, a place where youngsters socialised. Aside from the staff in the remaining shops, the only decent thing in recent years has been the Christmas tree.

Established businesses, after businesses are leaving the town, not because they are closing or not sustainable - moving out because of the council. Colne and Burnley's town centres are improving* whilst Nelson has declined shamefully. I honestly do not see a way forward with the current set-up.

*I do not want an argument on whether these towns are improving.

[Woodleyclaret]

Sorry if it's unpalatable but the local councillors have allowed this decline and need calling out for their neglect. The Arndale wanted a remodel with smaller affordable units but the political will was not there.We still own a house in Nelson so would hope for better for those still living there.

[karatekid]

Anyway back to the subject. I drove past the arndale tonight and there is a roadwork sign been put up near the goods-in area across from McDonalds that says ‘Work starts here 3rd February until May’. That is 4 months so can’t be just filling pot holes.

[Bow]

Places change. I expect Nelson was wildly different from that video above than it was in 1899 too.

[mikeS]

Sad to hear this is finally closing, following the ACE civic centre a couple of years back and also today on Facebook Nelson's last bank is set to close in a month or two's time. Did the Lord Nelson pub re-open ????

[Bosscat]

Used to go to a Night club in Nelson back in the 80's (when my old m8 Trev lived in Barrowford) I think it was called "Blueberries" ??? wasn't that under (or in) The Arndale Center ... but as its 40 yrs ago my memory might have got mistaken .

[mikeS]

Used to go to a Night club in Nelson back in the 80's (when my old m8 Trev lived in Barrowford) I think it was called "Blueberries" ??? wasn't that under (or in) The Arndale Center ... but as its 40 yrs ago my memory might have got mistaken .

Started off as SANDS I think Bosscat. Might have changed its name in the eighties tho.

[Bosscat]

Started off as SANDS I think Bosscat. Might have changed its name in the eighties tho.

Like I say its 40+ yrs ago

[mikeS]

Just read the advert for Sands below. And weep.
"A £90,000 Polynesian paradise...in Nelson"

sands advert for 14 december 1973.png (227.3 KiB) Viewed 2295 times

[Bosscat]

Just read the advert for Sands below. And weep.
"A £90,000 Polynesian paradise...in Nelson"

sands advert for 14 december 1973.png

Yes Sands, then Blueberries ...
viewtopic.php?t=58213#p1677087

[Muric Leggings]

[Loyalclaret]

Sad to hear this is finally closing, following the ACE civic centre a couple of years back and also today on Facebook Nelson's last bank is set to close in a month or two's time. Did the Lord Nelson pub re-open ????

Last I saw on FB, there was a chance that the old landlady may be re-opening it.

[expoultryboy]

Tracs on a Friday for the punk scene ( holding on to the slats on the dance floor , Sands on a Saturday for Tottie , Trop on a Sunday for a dose !! Just spent a couple of hours watching how Nelson is now on YouTube - depressing.

[Lip]

Tracs on a Friday for the punk scene ( holding on to the slats on the dance floor , Sands on a Saturday for Tottie , Trop on a Sunday for a dose !! Just spent a couple of hours watching how Nelson is now on YouTube - depressing.

Not forgetting Grab a granny night at Trop .

[sanderson370]

Being 61 now and leaving nelson 30+ years ago i went into the pendle rise shopping as knew it the arndale centre just last week to go to specsavers in an emergency. wow what are the councillors over the decades been doing representing there wards.last 2 years ive watched live meetings on YouTube and councillors are paid £2500 +expenses.please view any meetings you wish over 10 years and you will make your own conclusion.
In my opinion on any debate the only councillor worth is salt and fights his corner is david whipp and his son who represent Barnoldswick and earby there streets are clean small independent shops pubs vibrant and different events i the centre and i dont know him personally but well respected and hard working and is as im informed always visible and contactable to his residents and passionate.residents in burnley can watch burnley council meetings live or watch days later to see how your ward councillors are representing you at full council meetings.

[Stayingup]

Yep blame the immigrants! Pathetic.

Pathetic comment from you. Explain yourself why Nelson has gone downhill?

[Devils_Advocate]

Try Thatcher and the Tories who spent the 80's disseminating the working class city's and towns of northern England. Sad thing is a lot of the boomers on here moaning how bad these places have become are the very turkeys who probably voted for her and her fellow scumbags.

Not only that but you also seem to be the morons still falling for their bullsh*t and being duped into scapegoating the immigrants and brown people instead of looking at the ruling class who bleed the country dry with their corruption and greed

[expoultryboy]

That was Thursdays Lip .

[Staniola]

When we moved up to Nelson in 2004 we used to visit the Arndale for cooked pressed beef and excellent beef pies something unheard of in Reading Gradually everything shut down as a disinterested Pendle BC allowed it to fall into disrepair along with boarded up streets
Schemes were devised to benefit local councillors who also happened to landlords to the detriment of the town.A grant was given to undo the 80s pedestrianisation and create a through road
All this did was allow people to drive through without stopping and create a parking place for loads of unneeded taxis
The idea of taking over non functioning local councils is definitely overdue and Pendle BC needs abolishing asap

Haha, absolutely brilliant nonsense