01 Dec 2023
It may have been built in the 1950s, retaining much of that era’s aesthetics, but retailers at St Albans’ popular suburban shopping centre The Quadrant are determined not to remain stuck in the past, but look instead towards the future.
They are keen to build on the success of recent ventures, including outdoor street food events, late night openings (the next one is December 6) and pop-up eateries, and make it even more of a destination for visitors from across the city.
Known as ‘The Sunnyside’ because it faces south, the run of businesses down the service road opposite Marks & Spencer have proved some of the most proactive when it comes to innovative events and promotion. This includes creating Facebook group Our Quadrant in September, which already boasts more than 3,500 members.
Jez Levy, owner of EYES on St Albans, explained why it was established: “People kept missing out on the outdoor street food events, even though they were promoted on various groups on social media, so we started our own page, which is now being used to promote businesses and as a forum for the local community.”
Jez said he welcomed recent changes to the shopping centre: “The more people sitting outside the better, I like to see people smiling! There’s a great family vibe, the customers love the improvements and independent traders are pushing for more.
“But The Quadrant needs to be better advertised. There is no onsite signage or branding, and no road signs to indicate where it is, even though our key finding is that the people of Marshalswick want to see more community-focused things taking place here.
“I’d like to see an outdoor market, more pop-up eateries, anything to make The Quadrant a destination place to visit.”
Therapist Nadya Giffen agreed. As well as running Nadya Giffen Therapies at the centre, she also lives locally, so is well placed to understand what does and doesn’t work: “These little pop-up events are fantastic, they bring more people in and create more awareness of what you can find at The Quadrant.”
She said one of the key reasons for The Quadrant’s success is how quick and easy it is to pop in and use the facilities.
“Where you offer free parking it brings in so many more people, and businesses will thrive when you give their customers accessibility. There’s a different choice at The Quadrant than the high street, and people are choosing to shop here over the big retail parks.
“The community spirit has been lost in a lot of other places, but here people will stop to chat and you know who your neighbours are. It’s really buzzy, there’s a good energy about the place, and it’s always busy.
“I would like to see more done on Sundays, maybe a farmers’ market for example, and Christmas lights and a tree.”
Instrumental in bringing evening trade to The Quadrant are Fade to Black and Phoenix Barbers, the latter transforming into a pop-up bar on Thursday to Saturday evenings.
Phoenix owner Paul Murray has been running the barbers for 11 years, but secured a drinks licence just before Covid. As well as selling drinks, he has partnered with eight different local chefs to offer pop-up food three Saturdays a month.
“Marshalswick is like a village, and The Quadrant is the village centre. Everyone loves what’s happening here, so why not go further? We could have raised planters, more outdoor seating, anything really to soften up the harsh 1950s concrete design.
“I’d also like to see a traders’ association so retailers can have a voice, and for The Quadrant to be better marketed to attract more visitors.”
Pete Mileham and Gary Smith bought Fade to Black coffee shop a year ago, and although it already had an alcohol licence they realised there was a lot of untapped potential in the venue.
Pete explained: “We extended the bar and opened Thursday to Saturday evenings offering a great selection of top quality wines at really good pricing as we get supplied by an importer. Three draught beers from Spain and Portugal add to the intrigue from the local community.
“We felt it was what The Quadrant really needed with The Baton pub closing a few years ago, and the evenings are proving very popular.
“I’ve organised lots of things over the summer, including live music nights and soulful Sundays, and having food vans outside has generated a feelgood factor from the locals. We have been asked many times when the next one is, and all I can say is watch this space!
“Personally I’d like to see the service road pedestrianised like it is around the front. We could have some tables out there and make it a really nice area.”
