What's it like in shopping centres now?

[Divoc2020]

I've only been to our local high street shops since March.

DS2 has expressed an interest in going clothes shopping to the big out of town shopping centre about 30 mins away and wants me to take him, but I've no idea whether it will be worth it. What's it like out there currently?

• queues to go in shops?
• are you able to try anything on?
• can you get any food/drink? To sit down, or just take away?

I had a look at the centre website (big one in Kent, beginning with 'B') and it seemed like quite a few of the shops aren't even open?

Anyone?
(It was a genuine question!)

I have been to our local shopping centre a couple weeks ago and it was ok. They had one way systems in place, queuing outside a lot of the busy shops, hand sanitiser all over the place and staff members there to help. Of course you always get the idiots like you do in supermarkets but over all it felt safe, I was there at about 11am on a Saturday morning

I went to one yesterday. I don’t think you could try clothes on anywhere. It was pretty quiet, I only saw queues at Primark and Macdonalds. It was okay, but a bit weird. Each shop had its own system, some were one way , some had sanitiser, one shop you had to take the coat hangers off and scan the items yourself. We were wearing masks so gave up after about an hour as it gets quite hot.

I went with dd last week.

No queues, delightfully quiet. Never eat or drink when shopping anyway so no idea if you could though Costa was open.

Brilliant experience. We wear masks and have no problem with it, made no difference to our day.

@Divoc2020
Have you looked at the Blue Water website and trip advisor for recent reviews?

[quote SoloMummy]@Divoc2020
Have you looked at the Blue Water website and trip advisor for recent reviews?[/quote]
Yes, but not found much, hence posting here!

I've been to that twice now, Sunday was only to collect a package in next bit I'd avoid weekends. Queues for some shops, no real distancing.
Mid week was lovely, a really pleasant afternoon out and I'm not really a shopper but I did enjoy it. No crowds, distancing and no queues. You can get food, eat in at nandos most other places you have to take out and the seating area is shut

Haven’t tried bluewater but an intu shopping centre in kent. Not all shops are open but the “main” ones are: M&S, next, H&M, primark, boots, Waterstones, Debenhams etc. Not particularly long queues - except for the apple store. Most stores seem to have someone on the door who, with a phone, tracks the number of people in and out, and if at capacity you are asked to wait. Disney were the most strict, not letting anyone in without a mask (though as of next wk that’s irrelevant). Walking around there are arrows, not everyone follows the route but they have people manning the doors so only one for entrance one for exit. Haven’t looked to try anything on, assume no where allows this, but I could look through the books and shelves without being scolded.
Most annoying thing I found is many shops have closed the tills, how directing everyone to the same queue is helpful during a virus is beyond me.