Historic Portsmouth Becomes Trendy Fashion Capital (Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth)

Member Name: wearsidelass

Product:	Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
Date:	30/04/04 (2835 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of designer labels to choose from

Disadvantages: You leave with an empty purse!

WHAT IS GUNWHARF QUAYS?
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It is a designer shopping outlet complex. But, make no mistake, this is no ordinary shopping outlet. As well as the usual array of designer shops, it has lots of entertainment too. It has over 65 designer outlets which have up to 70% off the high street prices. It?s definitely paradise for shopping!

You can actually spend a whole day at this place. As well as the designer shops, there are plenty of cosmopolitan restaurants and pubs, such as Bar 38 or Tiger Tiger (must admit I haven?t been to these as I go for pure shopping). There?s also an 11-screen multiplex cinema and Bowlplex. The Bowlplex has a 26 lane bowling alley, a Pool Pit and there is also a Video World). So, as you can see, there is plenty for everyone.

They also hold special events throughout the year so, if you want to go when there is something ?extra? to see then phone for up to date information on 023 9283 6700.

For those of you who are sailing enthusiasts, Gunwharf Berths is right next door to the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour. There is over 500m of prime berthing space available so you can avoid all the road, rail and coach rush and arrive by boat!! For information on berths tel 023 9283 6736.

As you can see, there is definitely something for everyone.

WHERE IS IT?
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It is in Portsmouth and is located beside the historic waterfront.

It is easily accessible by road, rail, sea bus and coach.

ROAD:
The majority of Britain?s motorway network connect to the harbour at Portsmouth via the A3(M), M27/A27 and M275. Just follow the signs to the Historic Waterfront and you will eventually see the signs for Gunwharf Quays.

RAIL:
Gunwharf Quays is also situated right next to the station at Portsmouth Harbour. There are frequent services to Southampton, Guildford, Chichester, London, Birmingham, Bath, Bristol and Cardiff. It is a
lso easily connected to Brighton and Bournemouth. If you wish to enquire about travelling to Gunwharf Quays by train then phone the National Rail Enquiries on 08457-484950.

BUS & COACH:
Gunwharf Quays is approximately 5 minutes walk away from the Hard Bus Interchange. This interchange allows direct access to the local bus and coach services. A coach drop off point is located at Gunwharf Quays and there is also coach parking nearby at the Historic Dockyard. National Express also run a service direct to this interchange. The number for National Express is 08705 808080.

SEA:
For those of you living on the Isle of Wight there is the Wightlink FastCat. The Gosport Ferry also links to Gunwharf Quays. The terminals for the Wightlink FastCat and Gosport Ferry are approximately 5 minutes walk away from Gunwharf Quays. If you are arriving by car on the Wightlink FastCat, then the car park for the shopping outlet is just a few minutes away.

WHEN IS IT OPEN?
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The shops are usually open from 10.00 (Sundays from 11.00), there is late night opening until 20.00 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (April to January). Please note (I know this does not apply to us now but it is not open on Christmas Day).

WHAT SHOPS ARE THERE?
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ADIDAS: Sportswear/outdoor wear

ANTLER: Luggage, bags - brilliant - last year I bought quite a large Antler suitcase for £35!

BAGS ETC: Bags etc. of course!

BALLY: One of my favourite shops - as you may know, I am a ?shoe alcoholic? and I love Bally shoes (but can?t really afford the prices on the high street). Good bargains to be got here, especially at sale time.

BARBOUR: Sportswear/outdoor wear

BEN SHERMAN; Menswear/ladies wear

BENETTON: Clothes for children, ladies and gents

BODUM FACTORY: Household goods

BON BLUE: Baby clothes, children?s clothes - very good bargains
- got a beautiful outfit for a baby girl for £8 which included gorgeous fleecy top, trousers and lovely hat

BOOKENDS: Books, lifestyle etc.

BOSE: Electrical goods, eg. Stereos (usually very expensive at normal prices)

BURBERRY: Menswear, ladies wear and they also have accessories

CADBURY: Cheap chocolate goodies

CAFÉ COTON: Childrenswear, menswear

CARPHONE WAREHOUSE: Phones etc.

CALVIN KLEIN: If I remember rightly, I think this shop was closing down when I visited over the Christmas period so, any Calvin Klein fans, I would check with the information number given above as to whether this shop is still there.

CLAIRE?S ACCESSORIES: Hair, nails, beauty

CLARKS FACTORY OUTLET: Footwear

COTTON TRADERS: Clothing for men/women

CRABTREE & EVELYN: Soaps, bath stuff etc.

CREW: Absolutely LOVE this shop. Clothing for men/women. Usually get this make in chandlery shops and is usually very expensive. Got a gorgeous long sleeved T-shirt for £13 and an absolutely GORGEOUS outdoor summer type top with hood in white/blue for £29 (usual price would be approximately £60). As I say, fantastic shop for us ladies!

DANIEL JAMES: Jewellery

DESIGN HOUSE (HOME): Household goods

DESIGNER SHADES: Sunglasses, accessories

DUNE: Footwear

ECCO: Footwear

EISENEGGER: Menswear, ladies wear, children swear

EPISODE: Ladieswear

FAT FACE: Surf type clothing for ladies, men, children

FRED PERRY: Sportswear and outdoor wear - usually for men

FRENCH CONNECTION: Ladies, gents clothing and accessories

GAP: This is my daughter?s favourite shop. You can usually get fleecy, hooded tops for the kids (some of them can fit adults - I know - I have one and I am size 16!) usually at 2 for £20 which works out at £10 each - great saving from the normal price. You can get jeans at knock down prices too - I have seen
them for £10 per pair.

GIEVES & HAWKES: Mens clothing
GUNWHARF NEWS: Newsagent
HMV: Cds - music etc.
HUSH PUPPIES: Shoes
JANE HEATH: Homeware
JULIAN GRAVES: Speciality goods
KITCH ?N? SYNC: Household goods
LAKELAND: Leather clothing and accessories
LEVIS: Jeans for men/women etc.
MARKS & SPENCER: Reduced M&S goods
MEXX: Clothing for women/children
MONSOON: Ladies clothing + children + accessories
MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE: Sportswear/outdoor wear
NICOLE FARHI: Clothing for women, men + accessories
NIKE: Sportswear
NITYA: Clothing for women
OAKLEY: My future ?son in law??s favourite shop - he got an outdoor jacket for £89 (normal price was £130 in this shop so I would imagine the ?normal? price in the high street to be nearer the £200 mark). He also got a knapsack at half the shop price and paid £35.
OASIS: Women?s clothing
ONEIDA: Homeware
O?NEILL: Recently added shop - absolutely brilliant - I bought a pair of O?Neill boots (fur lined) for £30 and a sweatshirt for my grandson for a tenner. Bought a jacket for my husband for £45. They had trainers for £17-25. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT PRICES. THIS SHOP IS A MUST.
PAUL SMITH: Clothing for men and children
THE PERFUME SHOP: Perfume, gift sets etc.
PILOT: Ladies clothing
RALPH LAUREN: My husband?s favourite shop. Clothes for men/women/children/babies. Very good prices although I thought their perfume range was still expensive. They had some beautiful leather jackets for men for £150+ but very good quality suede/leather.
PROFESSIONAL COOKWARE CO: Household goods.
SPEEDO: Sportswear/outdoor wear
SUITS: Clothing for men/women
TED BAKER: Ladieswear, menswear, children?s wear. Knock down prices - especially compared to his shops elsewhere
THORNTONS: Chocolates and toffees - greatly reduced prices
TOG 24: Outdoor wear
TOMMY HILFIGER: Clothes for men/women/children
TOYZONE: Toys
TRIUMPH: Lingerie
VI
LLEROY & BOCH: Houseware
WATERFORD WEDGWOOD: Housewear
WHITE STUFF: Clothing - men/women
WHITTARD OF CHELSEA: Teas, coffee, etc.
XS MUSIC: Music, of course!

Well, those are the shops but I think I should give a mention to the bars/restaurants:

Azzurro - pasta, pizza, seafood
Bar 38 - Cosmopolitan bar
Bar Risa - Contemporary bar
Burger Kind - hamburgers etc.
Café Giardina - counter service restaurant
Café Nero - coffee shop
CHARbar - BBQ restaurant
Food Nation - REAL food
Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen - classic food and drink (whatever that means!)
Indian Palace - curries etc.
La Tasca - Spanish food
Levant - Mediterranean food
Loch Fyne - seafood
Pizza Express - pizzas
Presto - pasties etc.
Santa Fe - american
Starbucks - coffee, cakes (fantastic coffee but expensive)
Tallulah?s Wine Bar & Brasserie - continental style food
The Old Custom?s House - traditional English pub
Tiger Tiger - late night bar/restaurant
Tootsies - american-style waterfront restaurant
Yellow River Café - Ken Hom?s cooking
Watermargin - oriental buffet

As well as the above, there are outside ?old fashioned type wagons? situated around Gunwharf Quays selling :

Hotdogs (massive ones for £2 each)
Toasted marshmallows (+ other varieties) - these are absolutely delicious - expensive £1.30 for ordinary toasted marshmallow kebab, I think the chocolate coated, dipped in nuts, variety was approximately £1.60.
Hot, roasted chestnuts

Other types of entertainment include: Bowlplex; Health & Fitness club, Holiday Inn Hotel, Grosvenor Casino, Janglers (comedy club) Kyss (health and beauty) Warner Village Cinema (11 screen cinema)


If you love shopping, like I do, then will love this offer: if you spend over £150 in one shopping trip then you can claim a Privilege Card which will entitle you to attend the following:

Invitation only evening
s
Receive event tickets
Special car parking concessions
Berthing rates for you boat
Special offers in the restaurant and shopping outlets

If only I had known this at Christmas!!!!!

You can also purchase gift vouchers and they also provide concessionary packages for business lunches. There you go, be special and take your client to Gunwharf Quays and clinch that deal!!! Group organisers can receive a £5 gift voucher. The vouchers are available at the Visitor?s Information kiosk which is situated in the Central Square.

FACILITIES
Gunwharf Quays boasts brilliant facilities. Here is a list of what they provide:

Visitors? Centre which is open 7 days a week
24 hour security
Safe Child Scheme
Telephones
Public toilets (these are exceptionally clean - which is something I love to see) + disabled toilets
Baby changing facilities
Wheelchair access
Shopmobility Scheme
Escort to car service (this should be good especially for wheelchair users)
Parking on site and also nearby
ATMs - (so that you can get those bargains!)
Taxis
To learn more about the above (especially the Shopmobility Scheme) ring the Visitors? Centre on 023 9283 6700.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this review and that it was helpful to you. The atmosphere at Gunwharf Quays is excellent and you can have a good, fun day out.

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