A shopping precinct in Great Yarmouth town centre is up for auction - just one year after the last time it went under the hammer.

The Victoria Arcade is up for a guide price of £625,000 with Barnard Marcus.

The auction comes as receivers were called into Victoria Arcade, which according to a government website is owned by HIS Investments.

The receivers are detailed as being from Manchester-based financial firm Waterfold Asset Management.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Inside the entrance to the Victoria Arcade. Picture - James WeedsInside the entrance to the Victoria Arcade. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Last May, the arcade was up for auction with Siddall Jones for £700,000. It is believed the property sold after auction for an undisclosed sum. However, the deal was not finalised.

The arcade is advertised as having 35 retail spaces inside, including new tenants Sew-Knitty.

The Barnard Marcus listing states the property "may be suitable for further development and part conversion into residential subject to planning permission and consents".

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Regent Street entrance to the Victoria Arcade. Picture - James WeedsThe Regent Street entrance to the Victoria Arcade. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Laurence Holmes from The Book Shop said he had not been informed that the arcade was in the hands of receivers.

"I'm not sure what's happening," Mr Holmes said.

"Another shopkeeper had told me they heard it's up for auction. But I've not been told anything officially.

"Footfall has been dire.

"But, fortunately for me, I've built a strong customer base over the last ten years.

"Whoever takes over has got to have an idea."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Laurence Holmes from Victoria Arcade Book Shop. Picture - James WeedsLaurence Holmes from Victoria Arcade Book Shop. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Having been open for 21 years, the Barber Shoppe has been the longest-surviving unit inside the arcade.

Owner Beverly Hopkins said she has not been officially told about the latest developments.

"Everyone's disappeared," she said.

"It's affected the livelihoods of the businesses that have been here a long time.

"It's very sad to see its decline."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Barber Shoppe has been operating from the Victoria Arcade for 21 years. Picture - James WeedsThe Barber Shoppe has been operating from the Victoria Arcade for 21 years. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Victor Ling, the owner of Barkers Photo Fun, said the arcade "requires a lot of money" to make it more attractive.

"The place needs a different approach," Mr Ling said.

"It can be frustrating to hear, but retail has to evolve."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Victor Ling, owner of Barkers Photo Fun. Picture - James WeedsVictor Ling, owner of Barkers Photo Fun. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Mr Ling said while he keeps his unit inside the arcade, it no longer serves as a retail space - instead, using it as a centralised base for external work.

Mr Ling stressed the rents of the units were not too high, with many shops free from business rates.

"The arcade is facing the same problems retail is experiencing all over," Mr Ling added.

"It's the broken window syndrome - once one shop closes, others follow suit, and footfall suffers.

"But with the arcade, I don't believe anyone has been told anything officially, so nobody knows what's going to happen.

"I'd like to see decent owners take over Victoria Arcade. The arcade needs people who know, and care, about the area and the town."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: FLASHBACK: Christmas Shopping in Victoria Arcade at Great Yarmouth. Date: November 26, 1992. Picture - Newsquest ArchiveFLASHBACK: Christmas Shopping in Victoria Arcade at Great Yarmouth. Date: November 26, 1992. Picture - Newsquest Archive (Image: Newsquest Archive)

The shopping precinct - which was once a popular destination for shoppers in the town - has fallen on hard times due to an overall decline in footfall on the High Street. 

On Tuesday morning, Victoria Arcade had 19 vacant units, and several occupied shops were closed.

The Victoria Arcade was originally built in 1925 and opened the following year as the Central Arcade. It was modernised in 1987 and renamed The Victoria Arcade.

By 2004, several longtime traders had left the arcade, citing a decline of footfall in the town centre due to out-of-town shops with free parking as a reason for dwindling sales.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: FLASHBACK: David Mobbs, Great Yarmouth Central Arcade in May 1981. Picture - Newsquest ArchivesFLASHBACK: David Mobbs, Great Yarmouth Central Arcade in May 1981. Picture - Newsquest Archives (Image: Newsquest Archives)

The arcade has passed hands many times in history. In 2015, the arcade sold for £1.1m at auction. In 2017, current owners HIS Investments paid £800,000 before putting the shopping centre back on the market last year for £700,000.

It is currently being sold with Barnard Marcus with a guide price of £625,000 and will go under the hammer on May 23.

The landlord of Victoria Arcade declined to comment.