To think the Trafford centre in school holidays will be a nightmare?

[flowergirl88]

My friend wants us to go for some shopping to get some maternity clothes (both pregnant) - I just think it will be packed. I'd rather order online.

AIBU to think shopping centres in school holidays are best avoided?

The Trafford centre is always a nightmare! I can't think of a less sole destroying place to shop.

However dd2 was there yesterday and said it wasn't too bad.

Friend loves it.

I hate it.

The kids are back in school either today or tomorrow, so I can't imagine it will be that overrun with kids.

I think it'll be fine to be honest. I often go at a weekend when it is busy, but not horrifically so.

However there isn't a huge selection of maternity clothes. There is a small section in h&m, mamas and papas and red herring in debenhams. Unless I missed something when I went there for that purpose. They don't even have a section in new look!

Can you go in the evening or first thing in morning! Much quieter then. Are schools not back now anyway?

I live in bury and our schools have another week off yet but I think south McR schools go back today

If you get there for 10am it's usually nice and quiet.

I always go mid week. Its usually quieter then. Most kids will be back today won't they?

Lots of schools in that area still have another week off. Agree with getting there first thing as the best bet.
But if you hate it anyway, just say no! Tell your friend you'll meet her for a coffee afterwards.

The children here aren't back for another week.

I had a disastrous trip to the Trafford Centre when pregnant. Few stores stock their maternity ranges in store so I came home with nothing and ended up buying online.

God awful place to visit even when it's not school hols or Christmas etc. Most schools round here (i live in Sale) are still off this week as didn't finish until day before good friday. But if you don't have kids to actually look after then you can take it slowly and have a dander and stop for numerous cookies, ice cream, coffees etc.
However i'd be more inclined to go to the Lowry as it has a discount Gap and Clarks and i spent many many hours buying all the Gap babygrows for less than half the price of the normal stores. Pretty sure they have a maternity section too and Gap maternity is quite comfy and cheap (ish). Have fun and try on to stress too much where ever you go.

Schools in area not back yet. Go early. Plan coffee shop breaks or whatever. Tune out the mayhem. It's not the most pleasant place when mad busy but as long as you know where the loos are, it can be coped with.

Order online. Asos have lots of maternity clothes.

I live near the Trafford Centre and yes it can be horrendous whatever the day! Your best bet is to get there early, the shops don't open until 10 but when we go, we get there for around 9, go and have breakfast or a coffee. We can then be out and done for just after 11 before it gets really busy. The traffic out of there can be a bitch at times but hopefully it won't be too bad during the week.

Hardly anywhere sell maternity clothes at the Trafford Centre. Off the top of my head - Mamas and Papas, H&M er then I'm struggling tbh. I know I was very disappointed and ended up shopping online or going to Mothercare (there is no Mothercare at TC).

I disagree with what other people say. I don't think its terrible on weekdays even in the school holidays if the weather is good outside. Rainy days can be bad, but for the most part its not dreadful. It also tends to be better at the end of the holidays. But then I go pretty frequently and used to work there so my definition of 'bad' might be different to other people. I avoid the place like the plague after mid November even in the evenings.

Definitely go early though as its quieter if you get there at 10am. Trafford Centre also has good eating places. Carluccio's is cracking and usually fairly quiet when everywhere else is rammed as its hidden away at the back of the food hall.

Gap only sell maternity clothes online. Lowry Gap Outlet was very cheap for baby grows last time I popped in a couple of weeks ago, however I went to the one in Stockport yesterday and they had next to no baby stuff left at all. So although I would say its great, I'd caution to say whether its worth a trip. There aren't too many other good shops there and the parking costs. There are nice restaurants though, so that's its saving grace.

So, if you are going specifically to look for maternity clothes, I wouldn't bother.

If you go early it'll be ok. I was pregnant in 2013 and there wasn't many maternity ranges, most are online. Don't know if it has changed much since then.

I was just going to echo other pp's that most stores don't stock their maternity wear (or much of it) in store. Much more available online.

Not all schools are back yet my sisters a teacher in bury madamginger her school and her children's school are off until the 20th we are in Bolton my sons school has only had a week off but went back today.we often go to the Trafford centre on a Sunday I don't find it too bad it will be quieter in the evenings too.

Most Greater Manchester schools aren't back until next week but the weather forecast is good so should be ok. Also as PPs said, get there early and have breakfast/brunch first or get there early evening and have dinner first - afternoons are always busiest

In terms of maternity wear, not great - just Mamas & Papas and a relatively small branch. Lots of nice baby bits though in John Lewis/Selfridges (particularly love the White Company concession), and nursery stuff over the bridge at Barton Square.

There's a big branch of Mamas & Papas at Manchester Fort and a big Mothercare a short drive from there at Ancoats, might be an easier two-stop trip?