Royal Arcade, Timaru - revamped
The shops in there have all been updated so don't look
'old' anymore.
Willmotts is the only shop with history still operating.
Looks like the hoops under the window sills were used for hanging baskets
recently.
Timaru Herald 24/10/2007
Timaru's Royal Arcade is undergoing a revamp. In the last eight months a number
of new stores have opened in the walkway off Stafford Street to sport a
fresher, brighter and more sophisticated shopping selection. When
something has lost its glory to get it back is quite hard, it's like trying to
enthuse someone about a car they used to own. "The arcade has been a bit run
down and people have been a bit negative. Now you could walk down Queen Street
and it wouldn't be out of place." Christchurch property investor Shaun Stockman,
owner of a number of the buildings in the arcade, said he decided to take on the
arcade because it was unique and had a lot character and heritage. "People are
realising this is quite an unusual arcade and its something to be cherished."
photo
The redesigned Royal Arcade was opened on the 31st Day of May 1996 by his worship the Mayor Wynne Raymond.
Timaru Herald 10 June 2010
Willmotts Workwear, the firm, is undoubtedly a Timaru icon, fondly regarded by
generations of South Canterbury residents. Founded by by the late Walter (Wattie)
Willmott on September 11, 1930 and it has continued to thrive in the Royal
Arcade; a friendly and welcoming reminder of the department stores of old.
First impressions count and the initial one stepping across the threshold of Willmotts Royal Arcade shop is one of warmth and welcome. Already "toasty" -
courtesy of a powerful heater - at 9am on a frosty Timaru morning, Willmotts'
small store exudes an atmosphere that disappeared long ago in most large towns.
Richly coloured, well trodden native timber flooring complements the no-nonsense
nature of the products on display - unashamedly designed for comfort first.
Willmotts' slogan: The working man's friend, is apt indeed. Racks and shelves of
clothing and outdoor accessories fill the store nicely without overcrowding it
with a pleasant hint of the scent of real leather. Walter Willmott was a New Zealand
track cycling champion for several years and a keen sportsman. In these somewhat
uncertain times businesses come and go with alarming frequency. Not so with
Willmotts Workwear in the Royal Arcade as the firm looks forward to its 80th
anniversary with confidence having survived and thrived in a difficult economic
environment. The owner and director, Rob Willmott is justifiably proud of the of
the items stocked are of New Zealand origin and design, including jerseys and
merino thermals. Willmotts has adapted to modern times.
New Zealand Tablet, 30 March 1888, Page 15
The exodus to Victoria from New Zealand has lately affected Timaru, many young
men and whole families having left for Melbourne during the month. Two wealthy
colonists, also residing here for many years, are about to sell off and go to
the Old Country. They are Messrs. M. J. Godby, of Timaru, and W. S. Armitage, of
Otaio.
While chronicling such circumstances it is cheering, and,
indeed, reassuring to notice that one of Timaru's most astute and respected
townsmen, is giving evidence of the faith which he has in the future stability
of Timaru by the boldness and pluck with which he is pushing on the building
operations of the day dream of his long-conceived vision. Ross Royal Arcade. The
gentleman I allude to is Mr D.M. Ross, commission agent and notary public, and
one of the early pioneers of Timaru. Mr. Ross, with a keen foresight and
prudence characteristic of the man, means to complete his scheme of building the
Arcade through, from the main South road to the Post and Telegraph office, and
has at present large contracts in hand to carry out his design. The Herald
office, a large two storey brick building, stands at the Post office end on the
North side of the Arcade footway, the Friendly Societies' Dispensary being in a
line separated by an 18ft. way. At the Main South Road end is a large two-storey
building with commodious cellar accommodation, which is occupied by Priest and
Holgate as an ironmonger's store. When both lines shall have been finished, the
town will be greatly improved by the solid building in its centre affording to
business people with an eye on Timaru splendid chances of obtaining suitable
premises, and to the enterprising owner a legitimate channel to invest the
capital which ha has acquired by his own thrift, and speculative genius, in the
place where Dame Fortune has smiled upon him, where he has cast his lot, and,
where be will, doubtless, be satisfied to stand by his guns till he hand in his
cheque.
Did those vanishing, hand painted brick-wall advertisements
have a name? Ghost signs.
Piano organ [at the top]
McCormick Reapers & Mowers
Duncan's implements
Ladies & Childs outfitter.
The noted
Baby Linen.
Timaru Herald, 6 July 1888, Page 4 THE ROYAL ARCADE.
It is now some months since it was announced in these columns
that the foundations for the pile of new buildings in the centre of Ross' Royal
Arcade had been laid, and as the Arcade is most convenient to the public,
everyone has had an opportunity of watching operations as they proceeded from
day to day. Building has been briskly carried on, and it now remains for us to
note the fact that the block at present is complete, and is one more substantial
addition to the handsome business places in Timaru. Turning in from the Main
thoroughfare of the town, towards the Government buildings, the splendid
warehouse occupied by Messrs Priest and Holdgate, towers above on the southern
corner, and walking on to a neatly asphalted way the "long gallery lined with
shops on both sides" is entered. Coming to the new premises, and entering by the
main doors, the visitor bent on seeing everything inside and out, is first of
all conducted to the cellar. Suggestive word ; which at once makes one smack his
lips at the prospect of receiving a glass of Speight's light sparkling XXX., or
Ayala's " leading wine," but in this case such " refreshers" are wanting — the
cellar is to be merely used for documental and other storage. Rising in the
centre of this cellar are the foundations of the strong room, sunk to the depth
of 15 feet from the ground line, and built of solid bluestone masonry and
concrete. Cross drains are cut and the drainage from above is led down to the
sewer and is most complete. Ascending to the ground floor, the large office in
which the business of the Timaru Building Society, the Victoria Insurance
Society, and other commercial and commission branches are carried on, is
entered. The furnishings are all first class, the desks, tables, &c, being most
conveniently arranged. The lighting of the arcade frontage is good, and the back
wall is pierced with large lights, inside of which is fitted the customary
vertical iron bars. The walls are plastered throughout, the deep cornice being
especially handsome, relieved as it is m the interior bressummer by massive and
beautifully carved cedar brackets. Facing on this office is one of " Howard's
Safety " strong rooms, the door of which is 5ft by 4ft. This room was specially
designed by Mr Ross, and is exceptionally strong and fire proof. It is laced
with bolts and T iron braces, the iron shelves being formed of heavy wrought
iron plates from the ill-starred ship Benvenue,
whose history is linked with that of the "fatal and memorable 14th May." Three
feet of concrete has been put in as a crown to this room, the unity of iron,
bluestone and concrete, thus making a strong room, which is, in the absence be
far of the crucial test, justly reckoned to be among the finest in the colony.
Glancing aloft as this office is vacated it is seen that a Wenham lamp has been
hung for use at night, this, like other equipments, being well in keeping with
the whole. Passing out to the entrance hall to the left of the main doors, Mr
Ross' suite of offices is entered, wherein is conducted the Timaru agency of the
Public Trust, Land Transfer, etc. The waiting room is small but compact, and a
petite slip panel on the door indicates whether Mr Ross is engaged or
disengaged. If the latter the visitor goes straight in, and finds himself in
about as cosy a room as can well be imagined. The furniture is excellent, and
complete ; and small private safes built into the strong room, are evidence that
the various documents of an important business are kept m places of perfect
safety. This office is also in touch with the public offices, by means of a
large door in the strong room, a door in the partition walls being thus done
away with. Like the other offices the ventilation and lighting are perfect.
Going out once more to the entrance hall, the staircase to the first floor is
reached, and the information elicited that Mr Ferrier, the well known
photographic artist, has taken a lease of the southern flat. This comprises a
spacious reception room, and a studio, 30 feet long by 21 feet wide. As to size
it is among the best in Canterbury. The area of ground glass in the roof is 24
feet by 14 feet, and this glass is so laid on the rafters that leakage is
impossible, each timber in the roof being so grooved as to effectually act as a
drain if necessary. Off the studio are a dressing and " dark " room, the former
of which will be tastefully furnished, and the latter so arranged as to do
excellent work. Near by are a work room, and a printing room, which are to be
fitted with the most modern appliances that have made the art of photography so
very popular m recent years. The printing room has a large special ceiling
light, so that printing can be successfully done in all weathers. Divided from
the rooms just described, by the staircase, the well; of which is by the bye
remarkably well lit by a large skylight, are two other offices which complete
the suite at the command of Messrs Ross, Sims and Co. One of these is to be used
as a " Board room " by the directors of the Building Society, and other bodies
with which the firm is associated. The room is comfortable and should answer its
purpose admirably. Crossing the Arcade the shops on the southern frontage next
claim attention. One is being specially fitted up for Mr Toshach, teacher of
music, and should be most convenient ; the others are in a delightful state of
chaos, and will not be out of the hands of the artisans for some days. The
buildings have a frontage on the Arcade of 43 feet, and run back a depth of 30
feet. The walls are of brick, with the exception of that to the offices, which
are of bluestone, and two feet thick on the ground floor. A special feature of
the buildings is that the whole of them are almost absolutely fireproof. It is
Mr Ross' intention to have the Arcade arched with glass, and to have its name
Royal Arcade prominently displayed. Possibly in the very near future other
buildings will be erected, and as they will be in keeping with the present
block, the Arcade will be something for Timaru to be most proud of. Certain it
is that more complete premises as regards structure, drainage, ventilation,
lighting, etc, are not to be found in the colony. In concluding it is worthy of
note that the buildings were planned and carried out under the personal
supervision of Mr Ross, who has all along spared neither trouble, time nor
expense. The stone work was entrusted to Mr McBride ; the bricklaying to Mr Emil
Hall ; the plastering to Messrs Oldrey and Guthrie ; the joiner's work to Messrs
Tooth and Pearson ; the painting to Mr Murdoch ; the plumbing to Mr Forbes, and
the signwriting to Mr Dickenson, all of whom carried out, their duties in a
manner that has given the greatest satisfaction.
Timaru Herald page 1
Timaru Herald, 10 August 1888, Page 2
A further alteration in the appearance of Ross's royal arcade is now in
progress. Builders yesterday commenced pulling down the wall on the Arcade of
Ross, Sims and Co's old office, preparatory to erecting a new one, with a large
window towards the Arcade.
D. West
Architect
Arcade Chambers 1907
Poverty Bay Herald, 3 September 1892, Page 2
Timaru, To-day. D. M. Ross, ex-Mayor, late Deputy Assignee and agent of the
Public Trustee was convicted after four days hearing of the several charges of
fraud under the penal clause of the Bankruptcy Act, and sentenced to nine months
hard labor. Judge Ward said for the last twelve years Ross had been a perfect
pest to the district, and he wondered how anyone trusted him coming from Dunedin
with such a record as he did.