A shopping arcade on the coast is preparing to reopen with its new landlords pledging to revamp the building. 

The latest owners of the Victoria Arcade in Great Yarmouth are planning to invest £60,000 in the "neglected" building after buying it at an auction last month. 

Modern Design and Developments Ltd are organising a "grand reopening" event on October 31 which is promising live comedy and music, as well as Halloween-themed events including pumpkin carving.

In recent years, Victoria Arcade - 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. 

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Victoria Arcade in Great Yarmouth has seen footfall decline over the past 20 years. The Victoria Arcade in Great Yarmouth has seen footfall decline over the past 20 years. (Image: Nick Butcher)

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Currently, 18 units are occupied while 22 are empty.

A spokesperson said: "We want to get local people involved. And if after those six months the business has been successful they can keep going."

The company is hoping that one end will become a food court with cafes, bakeries and bubble tea while the other will have independent shops. 

The owners will also repaint the building and repair bird netting in efforts to rebrand the arcade. 

The spokesperson said: "If you see a neglected building you think it is a failed business, so the main challenge we might face is getting the trust back from the local community."

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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.

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

Modern Design and Developments Ltd bought the arcade for approximately £650,000.