Shopping has always been around, from buying fruit at the village market, to purchasing high-end jewellery on the high street. But gone are the days of businesses opening up shops in the town centre or on the high street. Shopping centres have taken over the retail industry and with more and more retail complexes being established, they are getting larger, so here is everything you need to know about the biggest shopping centres in the UK.
Here’s a list of the four largest shopping centres in the UK.
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Westfield London
Westfield shopping centre is a huge retail and entertainment complex in London that hosts an array of retail stores, restaurants and bars, and various forms of entertainment. Located in White City London, the shopping super-centre cost a staggering £1.6bn, is the largest shopping centre in the UK. As well as this, the complex has a large selection of leisure, dining, and entertainment facilities, including cinemas, a bowling alley, and high-tech mini golf. There are also plenty of dining opportunities, with a large selection of places to grab a bite and drink. If you plan on staying in the area and want to find a hotel near Westfield Shopping Centre, there are plenty nearby.
Metrocentre
Located in Gateshead in the North East of England, Metrocentre is a shopping and entertainment complex that covers a whopping 192,900 m2. That’s not quite as much as Westfield’s 235,900m2, but it’s still the second largest shopping centre in the UK. With over 300 popular high street shops across 5 colour coded malls, Metrocentre has something for everyone. There are plenty of places to eat and a fairly new food court. Everyone can have fun at the Namco arcade which is accompanied by a play area, bowling alley and dodgems. The centre is also fit with a huge Odeon and IMAX cinema, and a new Angry Birds mini-golf course.
Trafford Centre
The third biggest shopping centre in the UK, Trafford Centre contains over 280 shops and huge department stores over 3 floors. Here you’ll also find Europe’s largest food court, the Orient. Within the realms of Trafford Centre, you will also find laser quest, adventure golf, Sea Life, and a LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. The shopping centre covers a huge 188,000m2 and also has a large ODEON cinema.
Westfield Stratford City
No, that’s not a mistake, Westfield also has a shopping centre in the Stratford end of London. Coming in at 184,100 m2, Westfield Stratford City is the fourth largest shopping centre in the UK. Suited with 230 stores this is yet another ideal place to shop. However, of all 4 complexes on our list, this centre has the widest range of entertainment facilities and activities on offer. A luxury bowling alley, bat and ball facility, cinema, gaming areas, an immersive baseball setup, and casino, there’s so much to do.
Well, that was just about everything you need to know about the biggest shopping centres in the UK that have transformed the concept of shopping into a fun and relaxing experience with so much more to do than just shopping.
Alex is fascinated with “understanding” people. It’s actually what drives everything he does. He believes in a thoughtful exploration of how you shape your thoughts, experience of the world.