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Original poster

Shopping Centres - Past their shelf life????

22 replies

Pagan · 03/09/2004 11:05

I'm curious to know what people think of shopping centres in general. I got round to thinking about this because I remember when they first started to appear, a visit to them was a treat, like a big day out (I'm thinking of the Metro Centre at Gateshead here) but now I find myself trying to avoid them, especially at weekends when they are so busy that it's just not fun. And because there are so many of them now, they all look the same so you could be anywhere.

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harrassedmum · 03/09/2004 11:23

That is very true with them. I too used to go to the metro centre when it first opened (im from up there), but now you do get the same shops anywhere you go. Although to be fair we have buggar all in grimsby so anywhere out of town is a novelty for us. Have you got anywhere for small independant traders near you? We have som here and enjoy Lincoln as there is a few different bits there.

Original poster
Pagan · 03/09/2004 11:49

There are my local shops where I try to get meat from butchers, fruit & veg from farm or local shop. I do go to the supermarket for the necessities like nappies, clingfilm, washing up liquid etc.

There are some places I find rather refreshing as I wander round and find independent, quirky different shops. Spent the day in Edinburgh last weekend. Festival time so it was packed. Princes Street was full of the usual schmuk but wandering down to Stockbridge I found lots of wee delis, interesting clothes shops, different places to eat and a nice buzz about the place. Other places I've found to be nice include (bearing in mind I'm in Scotland)

Perth - it seems to be holding its own against the retail parks. It does have some but the town centre itself has lots of lovely independents as well as the usual stuff.

Glasgow West End

Aberfeldy
Auchterarder

Inverness has sadly got a huge new shopping centre which seems to have sucked the remainder of the town centre dry. And it too is full of the usual keck!

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Galaxy · 03/09/2004 12:12

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suedonim · 03/09/2004 16:46

I like shopping centres in winter - Aberdeen's Union St in a Force 9 gale February is not a nice place to shop!!

MUMINAMILLION · 03/09/2004 16:51

Agree with Pagan. Stirling is going the same way - the shops outside the indoor centre are slowly dying. Its a real shame. Also, for people who are suffer from claustrophobia, these centres must be a real nightmare. One of my friends has panic attacks and cant stand being in a crowded, indoor shopping mall.

fio2 · 03/09/2004 16:54

My husband used to refuse to come to Merry Hell with me

harrassedmum · 03/09/2004 22:01

I used to really enjoy them before i had kids but now its a nightmare, far too crowded, though im luck that i work weekends and can go in the week. We did have a world market recently and that was quite good, loads of different products to try. Our local shops are being driven out of business by the supermarkets though. Its very sad, but of course i still go to them.

happymummy1 · 03/09/2004 22:43

I agree harrassedmum i used to really look forward to going but since having my ds i just find it a nightmare and i do'nt enjoy it.I'd rather go food shopping!

kkgirl · 04/09/2004 10:42

The good thing about our local mall is that the parking is free so it is convenient. It isn't too bad, but the town centre has better shops but you have to pay to park quite a way from the shops, and with up to 3 kids in tow, the quicker and easier the better for me, so I don't go there very much

Ghosty · 04/09/2004 12:51

Don't knock it Pagan ... you'd miss it if you didn't have it ...
You know, I never thought I would say this but one of the things I miss most about England is .... Bluewater .... and other such places ...
I hate shopping in NZ ... I miss parking my car in one place, getting everything I need to get and then going back to the car and home. In Auckland you have to go from A to B to C ... PIA with a 4 year old and a baby I can tell you!!!

Angeliz · 04/09/2004 12:56

I have always hated them.
VERY Claustraphobic and i HAVE to get out!!!

HATE THEM!!!

ks · 04/09/2004 14:07

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sweetkitty · 04/09/2004 20:01

Sorry I have to disagree I am addicted to Bluewater, given the choice of it or Oxford Street Bluewater wins hands down, if you go in the morning before it gets busy it's great really baby friendly, no rain, no smoking etc maybe I'm biased because Oxford Street is so bad. Love Greenwich as well though for one off shops.

HelloMama · 04/09/2004 20:06

i have to agree with you sweetkitty, Bluewater is fabulous, very spacious and airy with great shops! I think its mainly because London is so not good for babies and mums in general and Bluewater is very baby friendly. Lots of yummy restaurants as well :) We too love Greenwich but haven't been there with baby in tow yet as found it pretty busy pre-baby and don't know how we'd cope with a pushchair as well??

Where do you live sweetkitty? We could be neighbours!

WideWebWitch · 04/09/2004 20:08

I wish all the shops I wanted were there, under one roof with free parking outside and good parent/baby facilties like nappy changing and clean loos etc BUT I wish shopping centres had more of the kind of shops I really want to go to, like a brilliant organic butcher or an organic fair trade supermarket, that kind of thing. Went to an organic food fair (fayre? Urgh!) today and just wished I could shop like that everyday, i.e. buying good organic tasty food direct from farmers and small suppliers. Fresh n Wild is nice but not the same. Oh, but I know realistically I don't have time to do that everyday . Enid, if you're reading, did you ever manage to banish supermarkets from your life? I have to confess to liking John Lewis though. And Waterstones. And parts of M&S. So I suppose I do like shopping centres for those kind of things. I'm rambling now so I'll stop!

essbee · 04/09/2004 20:17

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Beetroot · 04/09/2004 20:19

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essbee · 04/09/2004 20:22

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harrassedmum · 04/09/2004 22:12

One thing i do like though is not being stuck in the rain in the middle of winter, at least you can do all your shopping without getting cold and wet. But, a different selection of shops would be nice. I suppose they just couldnt afford the rent.

JulieF · 04/09/2004 23:07

Merry Hell with a 3 week old baby was an interesting experience!

I do like the Trafford Centre and itis very baby friendly. My local shopping centre is quite small really (The Potteries) and its right in the town centre but I find it quite stifling in there.

Aero · 04/09/2004 23:22

I'm with Sweetkitty and hellomama - love Bluewater but only go early in the week and in the morning preferably while ds1 and dd are at school. Haven't been with ds2 (7.5mths) yet, but as dd starts fulltime school on Monday, I'm sure I can hear it calling me to visit!! Very baby friendly and lots of nice places to rest those weary shopping legs!

Original poster
Pagan · 13/09/2004 20:08

Ghosty - I know what you mean but in hoping to get all the necessary under the one roof I end up being more frustrated.....eg.

Whilst pregnant with DD went to shopping centre in town to get maternity clothes at H&M's flagship store only to be told that the closest store stocking maternity clothes was 10 miles away, ironically closer to my home. So off I went there and got some clothes and then went to M&S to get some properly measured maternity undies, only to be told that they didn't stock the full range and I'd need to go to one of their other stores, you guessed it, back in town again. Grrrrrr!!!

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