On the ground: A century-old street reopens after restoration, drawing 50,000 on the first day

• More than 50,000 visitors on day one — three times the pre-restoration weekend peak
• Arcades and grey-brick facades kept; 1.8 kilometres of step-free routes added
• 74 per cent of original traders returned; rents up around ten per cent

The work preserved the original arcades and grey-brick facades, adding night lighting and step-free access. Rents have risen by about ten per cent.