By removing the cost of expensive tech rentals, we’re making sure local artists, small businesses, and community groups have a professional place to shine.

Why we need your support:

Free Tech for All: We’ll provide state-of-the-art equipment at no cost to users.

Inclusive Space: From wellness classes to business workshops and live performances, we’re creating an affordable home for every activity.

Boost Dewsbury: High-quality facilities attract bigger events, more visitors, and local pride.

Your donation directly funds the purchase and installation of this equipment, ensuring the UK’s first community-owned arcade is truly equipped to serve the town.

Dewsbury Arcade is more than just a home for shops and cafes – it’s a space for the community. We are crowdfunding to transform our two event spaces into high-tech hubs equipped with free-to-use smart screens, projectors, and professional stage lighting.

Thank you for your support!

Check out the schedule below:

Find out more:

Please refer to the individual posters below for more details on each event. Alternatively, for more information or specific contact details, please email Mike Mawson at mike.mawson@arcade-dewsbury.org.

Time: 10am – 3pm Daily

Location: The Arcade Pop-Up

Looking for a creative escape this Easter? Drop into The Creative Café, a free four-day pop-up celebrating the best of Dewsbury’s local talent.

It’s the perfect spot to keep the kids busy during the school holidays or to discover unique art from across the town. Explore new exhibitions, shop our local print and postcard sale, and chat with the makers behind the work. You can even get stuck into hands-on crafting or help us bring the giant Dewsbury colouring wall to life.

Everything is free to join and no booking is required. Just pop in, explore, and make your mark.

Calling all knitters and crocheters! To celebrate International Knit in Public Day on 13th June 2026, we’re launching a massive community project and we need your help to make it happen.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, we’re inviting you to contribute to our Giant Community Blanket. We are also looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us “yarn bomb” Dewsbury town centre with colourful creations!

How to get involved:

Knit or Crochet

We need 10cm x 10cm squares in any colour or pattern.

Hand your completed squares in by 30th May 2026 at: The Arcade Pop-Up OR Creative Craft Centre, Wesley Chambers, Union Street, Dewsbury, WF13 1AJ

Yarn Bombing

If you want to help us decorate the town, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch:

Email us at knitcroday26@gmail.com to register your interest or ask any questions.

150+ visitors
160 items of clothing saved from landfill!

We asked the attendees what they thought.

Describe the day in 3 words:
fab, fun, thrifty
fun day out
chilled, relaxed, interesting

What did you enjoy about the event:
the people
friendliness
bargains
the atmosphere

What we could do better:
More clothes

Would you visit again?
100% yes!

We hope to see you on Saturday 28th March!

Next month we hope to publicise the pathway to opening with the events we have lined up.

We have 40 live expressions of interest in units and once the scaffolding is down, we’ll be showing them around again, signing heads of terms on units.

Images courtesy of Dewsbury’s own talented professional photographer Lucille Moore. More of her Arcade photos can be seen here.

Lucille is part of a photography group that is tracking the work at the Arcade

A selection of the work can be seen in The Arcade Pop-Up in the Princess of Wales Precinct. Come and take a look during our scheduled opening hours of 10am to 3pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Open 10am – 2pm on Friday 20th February

Come and enjoy the friendly atmosphere at our pop up cafe for all the family this February half term.

Enjoy hot drinks and treats, plus crafting for free!

Saturday 14th February
10am – 4pm

The following activities at the Valentine’s Wellness Day on Saturday 14th February are limited by maximum group sizes. Please message me directly on 07415671646 or email mike.mawson@arcade-dewsbury.org to book a place on an activity.

At The Arcade Pop-Up

10.15-10.50
Sound Healing Session

10.30-11.00 &
11.30-12.00 &
12.30-13.00 &
13.30-14.00
Relaxation Session

11.00-11.45 &
12.00-12.45
Kids Circuit Training

At the Longcauseway Church

10.15-11.00 &
11.00-11.45
Yoga

11.45-12.15 &
12.15-12.45
Dance Session

13.00-14.00
Sound Bath

There will also be lots of activities that you don’t have to book on to:

In the former WHSmiths unit:
Four Crafting Workshops
Knit & Natter
Wellbeing Cafe

At The Arcade Pop-Up:
Tai Chi Taster Sessions
Mobility Exercises
Information Stalls
Wellness Crafting Cafe
Wellness Colouring Wall

Come along and join the fun!

The line up: 
PS George Rawlinson from Dewsbury Town Centre Team
James Denton Safer Communities Officer from Safer Kirklees
Samantha Sharp CEO from Huddersfield BID
A representative from Harfords Security Ltd  

Doors open 5.30pm for a 6pm start.

Refreshments included with plenty of time for networking.

The evening should finish by 7:30pm

Supported by: West Yorkshire Combined Authority 
Part funded by: UK Government 

This event is free. 

We are aware it is Ramadan and some will be unable to attend.  We are happy to host the event again if there is interest.

Please email jenny.holdenstokes@arcade-dewsbury.org to register your interest.