Suremark & Commerce Wales event

Together Stronger at Morgan Arcade: collaboration, heritage and the supply chain that keeps Cardiff's arcades thriving

Last Thursday we were delighted to be at the Together Stronger networking event in the Morgan Arcade, hosted by Suremark in partnership with CommerceWales. Representing Lee Wakemans, we had a brilliant evening of conversation under one of Cardiff's most characterful roofs - exactly the kind of setting where collaboration and practical ideas come together.

Why Morgan Arcade matters

Cardiff is often called the "City of Arcades", with the UK's highest concentration of Victorian and Edwardian arcades clustered in the city centre. The Morgan Arcade (1896-1899) and the neighbouring Royal Arcade (1858) - Cardiff's oldest - sit at the heart of this network, today known collectively as the Morgan Quarter. These are Grade II-listed, beautifully preserved places that still do what they were built to do: welcome people, showcase independents and keep the city centre vibrant. 

Following the closure of the David Morgan department store, the Morgan and Royal arcades underwent a major restoration in 2007-08, with original features such as first-floor Venetian windows and wooden shopfronts carefully retained-one reason Morgan Arcade is frequently described as the best-preserved of Cardiff's historic arcades. 

The unsung work behind a loved landmark

Spaces like Morgan Arcade don't stay special by accident. They are cared for day-in, day-out by a committed supply chain - from fabric maintenance and inspections to environmental performance, compliance and waste management. Events like #TogetherStronger shine a light on that work and the people who do it. Our thanks to Suremark for hosting and to the partners and speakers who made the evening such a success.

What we took away

• Collaboration in action. The evening reinforced how much progress happens when owners, operators, advisers and suppliers share ideas early - especially on listed assets where phasing, permissions and public access all matter.
• Sustainability with heritage. Cardiff's arcades show that heritage and performance aren't opposites: with thoughtful interventions, listed fabric can meet modern expectations for comfort, safety and energy use.
• Community at the core. The arcades remain social as well as commercial spaces - part of why the "City of Arcades" brand resonates so strongly. 

Our role in places like this

As a RICS-regulated project and cost management consultancy, Lee Wakemans supports clients to plan and deliver sensitive refurbishments and live-site works -balancing heritage, compliance and day-to-day trading. That means clear governance, pragmatic phasing, and the kind of programme and cost discipline that keeps doors open while improvements land.

"Nights like this remind you how much care it takes to keep great places working -quietly, safely and beautifully. The supply chain deserves real credit." - Charlotte Evans, Lee Wakemans

Thank you

A big thank-you to Suremark and CommerceWales, to venue partners at the Morgan Quarter, and to contributors including Marika Jones (The Morgan Quarter), Liam Jones (Overseas Apparel), Laurence Winmill (No Straight Lines) and Lee Ramsay (Suremark) - plus the University of South Wales musicians, Coppa Club and Tiny Rebel for adding to the atmosphere.

If you'd like to talk about heritage refurbishments, live-site phasing or programme/cost controls for complex assets, we'd love to continue the conversation.