McCoy’s Arcade unveils a new look
McCoy’s Arcade is celebrating the start of a new era today with the unveiling of its brand new interior.
Owned by a West Country family property company for many years, and now overseen by Jake Hitchcock, the arcade has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment over the last year.
Hitchcock said: “We wanted to restore McCoy’s to the thriving destination for indie shopping that it was once famous for. We’ve invested in a fresh new look that compliments the brilliant businesses we have, and look forward to the arcade becoming the place to go for socialising and shopping.”
From the redesigned exterior signage to re-flooring in steels and concrete, the new look also includes lighting and new facades to the interior. It all marks an exciting new period in the arcade’s 150-year-old history.
In addition, McCoy’s is also delighted to announce that the re-launch coincides with the opening of Camper Coffee’s first licensed espresso bar. Having brewed from their amazing restored 1964 VW Splitscreen Container van since 2012, founders Paul Maddick and Gary Williams are now bringing their brand of fresh coffee to the arcade.
Paul said: “We're hitting Exeter with a bang, opening our first licensed espresso bar in one of the city's edgiest locations and we can't wait to revolutionise the coffee drinking experience of our thirsty patrons."
Designed by placemaking specialists Clifton Emery Design, the new look has an industrial feel that stays true to the building’s warehouse roots with exposed steel girders to floor and walls, fine concrete floor, stripped back wood cladding and a complete new lighting scheme with upright shadow lighting and original train station pendants complimenting the glass atrium for which McCoys is famous.
Commenting on the transformation, Jo Greenwood owner of the arcade’s legendary The Real McCoy which is celebrating 30 years as a local independent said: “I love the industrial look being created with the use of reclaimed materials.”
There are seven further indy retailers within McCoy’s, all with interesting shops, ranging from craft beers, specialist teas, silversmiths and a collection of offices and studios on the first floor. This must be one of the most interesting shopping facilities in Exeter with a new superb café bar.
With a contemporary new look and a host of amazing independent retailers in residence, it is hoped that the refurbishment will help to put McCoys back on the map as one of Exeter’s hottest retail destinations.
Commenting on the changes, Artisan Chai founder Derry Tydeman said: “The facelift has attracted some brilliant traders to the arcade and we are delighted to be one of them. There's nowhere else we'd consider in Exeter! Its style is so 'in' at the moment: it attracts a great crowd and customer base for us.
"We moved in just at the right time and, thanks to the crowds the new look is bringing in, we hit the ground running and haven't really stopped yet”.
