Historic Clarence Arcade Plans Halloween Opening in Ashton 2026

Key Points

• Clarence Arcade in Ashton-under-Lyne is expected to be officially opened in a grand ceremony on Saturday, October 31 between 10am and 11pm.
• This Halloween opening will see 13 new businesses join, along with other entertainment like music, live shows and fun family activities.
• Owner Andy Kleek purchased the historic Stamford Street Central building nearly nine months ago.
• Restoration efforts are expected to revive the Victorian style arcade in terms of colors like racing green and gold, gold leaf details, lanterns and Victorian era furniture.
• New businesses include retro/vintage toys, baby boutique, tearoom, cocktail lounge and a mini cinema.
• Halloween entertainment includes horror characters, scare maze for children, face painting, wreath making, potions and miniature haunted house workshops.
• Entertainment featuring live acoustic music will be provided from 12pm to 6pm with help of artists from Lea. After that, there will be DJ-led Halloween entertainment until 11pm.
• Entertainment afternoons will include a 15 meter tall Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Ghostbusters film screenings along with sets and props recreations.
• Andy Kleek plans to provide free live entertainment on every Saturday involving acoustic bands and pianists.
• Communal seating is planned by purchase of 29 Chesterfield armchairs and 6 sofas.

Ashton-under-Lyne (Manchester Mirror) October 25, 2026 — Clarence Arcade will open its doors from 10am until 11pm on Halloween, marking a significant step in the latest regeneration efforts in the town centre. As reported by Erin Parker of the Tameside Correspondent, the opening will combine shopping, food, live music and family entertainment in the restored Victorian arcade.

Clarence Arcade Halloween opening is set to take place in Ashton-under-Lyne on Saturday, October 31, as the historic Stamford Street Central shopping centre prepares to welcome visitors with 13 new businesses, free entertainment and a full programme of Halloween-themed activities.

The development is being led by owner Andy Kleek, who took over the building around nine months ago. According to the Tameside Correspondent, he aims to restore the arcade’s Victorian character while establishing it as a destination for shopping, food and entertainment.

What Is Happening at Clarence Arcade?

Clarence Arcade will hold its grand opening on Saturday, October 31, from 10am until 11pm. The event will include Halloween-themed attractions, live music and entertainment throughout the day and evening.

The arcade is located on Stamford Street Central in Ashton-under-Lyne. Its reopening forms part of wider regeneration activity in the town, with the owner describing the project as an effort to bring the historic building back into active use.

Andy Kleek said the building had previously been painted grey and converted into an office-style environment. As reported by the Tameside Correspondent, he said:

“We’re changing it back to its former glory, its Victorian shopping arcade glory.”

Which New Businesses Will Open?

Thirteen new businesses are expected to open at Clarence Arcade. The mix includes independent retailers, food and drink venues and entertainment-based operators.

The businesses named by the Tameside Correspondent include:

• A retro and vintage toy shop.
• A baby boutique.
• A tearoom.
• A cocktail lounge.
• A mini cinema.
• Hocus Polocus, which runs spell workshops.
• A business selling pop culture-inspired clothing.
• A shop specialising in seasonal decorations and gifts.
• Businesses offering wellbeing services, cards, gifts and posters.

The range of operators suggests that the arcade is intended to serve both shoppers and visitors looking for leisure activities. The Tameside Correspondent reported that the businesses will occupy the restored Victorian arcade, which is being presented as a shopping, food and entertainment destination.

How Is the Arcade Being Restored?

The restoration includes a racing green and gold colour scheme, gold-leaf lettering and detailing on shopfronts, ornate lanterns and Victorian-style furniture and fittings.

Andy Kleek told the Tameside Correspondent that the aim was to return the building to its former Victorian shopping arcade character. The restoration work follows his takeover of the property around nine months earlier.

The arcade has also ordered 29 Chesterfield armchairs and six sofas. These will be used to create communal seating areas where visitors can relax, enjoy afternoon tea or have a drink while watching performances.

What Halloween Entertainment Is Planned?

The Halloween opening will feature horror characters, a child-friendly scare maze, face painting, wreath-making and creative workshops. The workshops will include potion-making and building miniature haunted houses.

Live acoustic entertainment from Lea is scheduled to run from noon until 6pm. This will be followed by a DJ-led Halloween party from 6pm until 11pm.

Evening attractions will include further scare maze sessions, a Ghostbusters cinema screening and recreated sets and props. A 15-metre-tall Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is also planned as one of the star attractions.

Will There Be Regular Entertainment?

Andy Kleek has said that Clarence Arcade plans to offer free live entertainment every Saturday. He told the Tameside Correspondent: “For me, the main feature is every Saturday there’ll be entertainment on, which is free.”

The regular programme is expected to include acoustic bands and piano players. Visitors will be able to use the communal seating areas while watching performances, according to the report.

The plans indicate that the Halloween opening is intended to be the start of an ongoing programme rather than a one-day event. The Tameside Correspondent reported that the arcade aims to provide more than a place to shop.

What Other Regeneration Plans Are Under Way?

Andy Kleek is already involved in wider efforts to regenerate Ashton through his StreetLife events, which the Tameside Correspondent reported have helped bring attention and activity to the town centre.

His plans extend beyond Clarence Arcade to the nearby Metro Majestic Cinema on Old Street. According to the report, a planning application has been submitted for the cinema, and Mr Kleek hopes building work could begin in January, subject to the planning process.

A further section of Clarence Arcade is also expected to open in the new year. It is planned to offer smaller independent units in a style similar to Manchester’s Afflecks and will be linked to the main arcade.

Mr Kleek said the developments would connect with one another to create a broader destination for visitors. The Tameside Correspondent also reported that further projects along Stamford Street are expected to be announced.

Background of the Development

Clarence Arcade is a historic shopping centre on Stamford Street Central in Ashton-under-Lyne. The building had previously been converted into an office-style environment before Andy Kleek took ownership around nine months before the reported opening plans.

The current project seeks to restore Victorian features while introducing a mix of independent businesses and leisure attractions. The reopening is connected to wider regeneration activity in Ashton, including Mr Kleek’s StreetLife events and plans for the nearby Metro Majestic Cinema.

Prediction: What Could This Mean for Ashton?

For Ashton-under-Lyne residents, the Clarence Arcade Halloween opening could provide a new town-centre destination combining independent shopping, food, entertainment and free weekend events. If the planned Saturday entertainment programme continues, it may encourage more regular footfall to Stamford Street Central.

For local independent traders, the arrival of 13 businesses and the planned additional section of smaller units could create further opportunities within the arcade. The proposed connection between Clarence Arcade, the Metro Majestic Cinema and future Stamford Street projects could also shape how visitors use the town centre, although the cinema plans remain subject to the planning process.