As part of Victorian Arcade Shopping Centre’s on-going commitment to the local community, the centre is challenging budding young Walsall writers to follow in the footsteps of Arthur Conan Doyle himself and write a Sherlock Holmes story for the chance to win a hamper filled with £50 worth of prizes.

Open to children aged 16 years and under, the competition is inviting youngsters to compose a creative 500-800 word ‘Sherlock Holmes Story’ filled with mystery, excitement and of course, detective problem solving. 

Darren Griffiths, regional facilities manager of GBR Phoenix Beard, commented:

“We are hosting this competition as we wanted to link our Victorian roots with the creative writing talent of local children in the Walsall area. I encourage as many youngsters as possible to take part in the story writing competition for the chance to win the fantastic hamper. All entries will be displayed in the centre for all of Walsall to admire and so I encourage anyone with an interest in detective fiction to submit their story.”

Please send all stories to Victorian Arcade’s Sherlock Holmes Story Competition, PMW Communications Ltd, Stane Court, Stane Street, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9HP or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the story, the entrant’s details and contact information by the closing date of Sunday 12th July.

The winning story will be selected shortly after with an exciting prize giving ceremony to follow at the centre.

Victorian Arcade is situated in the heart of Walsall and is home to a great selection of shops, many of which are independent, offering a wide variety of products and services from jewellery to clothes shops and from books to stationery.