Buildings of Distinction - Miller Arcade - Preston

Buildings of Distinction - Miller Arcade - Preston

Oct, 14 2025


Over the last five years or so Preston city centre has experienced a downfall in people visiting and utilizing the shops due, in part to the pandemic. However, a Grade 2 listed shopping centre has continued its trade and still remains a pivotal part of the Preston shopping experience.

Miller Arcade was opened in 1899 and was modelled off the much larger Burlington Arcade, London and was designed by Edwin Bush who was working for the Birmingham based company Essen, Nichol and Goodman.

Bush constructed the building on behalf of Nathanial Miller, a Preston dentist who in 1895 held a competition for the commission of his new building. Construction began in August 1896. The building replaced some old terraced houses and shops known as "The Shambles" that were owned by the Miller family who had previously failed to sell the area.

The Shambles were built by the Molyneux family at the beginning of the eighteenth century. The building originally had pepper pot turrets on each corner but these had to be removed in the 1920s due to safety concerns. In addition to the shops, the building also included Victorian Turkish baths, originally leased to A[lfred] Arbury, opening on or around 14 January 1899, and remaining open under his successors until 1947. The upper floors of the building were used as a hotel during the building's earlier years. There was also a room called "The Geisha Ballroom" within the building during its earlier years.

Miller Arcade is a Victorian building with an Italian terracotta style facade. The architecture inside the centre is ornate tiling, vintage shop fronts and high-glass panelled ceilings. There are also some benches in the middle of the centre. The building has three storeys over the cellars along with an attic storey. The upper floors were previously occupied by a hotel. Historic England lists the floors as office space. However, these floors have been vacant for many years. As of present, the building is owned by Callaway Estate Limited.

The shops and eateries inside Miller Arcade include:-

  • Rohan
  • Rise
  • Baluga Bar & Club
  • IceBurg
  • Smashed
  • Haute Dolci
  • Subway

This three minute 15 second film captures the beauty and elegance of Miller Arcade featuring the shops mentioned above –

If you’re new to Preston you can locate Miller Arcade on four roads, one on each face of the building -

  • Church Street
  •  Lancaster Road
  •  Jacson Street
  •  Birley Street.

The centre is 260 metres (280 yd) from Preston bus station and 660 metres (720 yd) from Preston railway station.

For further information such as opening times simply visit the following website link –https://www.visitpreston.com/article/2678/Miller-Arcade

In popular culture, Miller Arcade was featured in the 1962 film "A Kind of Loving" during the scene where Vic (Alan Bates) and Ingrid (June Richie) meet outside Lavell's sweet and tobacco kiosk, a shop which was formerly a part of the arcade.

Now over 60 years later Lavell’s may no longer exist but a series of shops and eateries make it the thriving arcade we see today. Walking through, relaxing on the bench or exploring the shops make it the perfect escapism from the everyday mundanity of life. Next time you’re in Preston why not check out the Miller Arcade there really is something for everyone.

^ Alex Ashworth CCG Content Creator