Busy with a good range of shops and facilities (McArthur Glen Designer Outlets)

Member Name: pencoedcharlie

Product:	McArthur Glen Designer Outlets
Date:	11/10/09 (124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bargains to be had

Disadvantages: Prices may be higher than you expect sometimes

I can only comment on The McArthur Glen Designer Outlet at Sarn, near Bridgend, but I go there quite a lot, so feel I know it well.

Location: Well signposted just off Junction 36 of the M4, this is a busy area, so could be a bit daunting for less confident drivers. There are bus services. Bridgend Designer Outlet is situated next to Sainsburys, the Odeon, and a Harvester Restaurant with an unlikely thatched roof. When you reach the outlet , there is a large parking area, completely free which is a big bonus.

Opening times: Mon to Fri :10am to 8pm.
Sat: 10am to 7pm
Sun 10am to 5pm (some shops 11am)
Bank Holidays 10am to 6pm.
Excellent for evening shopping in the run up to Christmas, and sometimes quite quiet so you can browse in peace.

There is an informative website giving details of Special events or offers, for example a Halloween "Street Party" with crafts and street theatre coming up, or a loyalty discount scheme.

Facilities : Clean toilets. Good level of security staff in evidence, customer service office and first aid available, for example providing a dressing when my grand daughter cut her foot, very professional.

Food: Large food hall, with a variety of food on offer , McDonalds is always the one with the queue, but I prefer the Juice fix bar, love the "skinny Minnie" smoothie, (strawberry and banana) or the paninis especially the cheese and red onion. I also love the Pasty Presto, where the pork and apple pasty gets my vote (large size). The food tends to be a little pricey, but its cheapest if you eat it in the main food hall area. Scattered throughout the main shopping area are 3 food and coffee bars, Starbucks,(I'm not too keen on the coffee there, but thats not specific to McArthur Glen) Sidolis lovely food , expensive, but very efficient table clearing arrangement and Costa coffee (haven't tried it.)

Children: well catered for with a well used play area. Best feature for me is you can sit in Sidolis and watch them play, over a coffee. I think theres also an identity bracelet scheme incase they get lost. Theres also a child buggy hire scheme,as well as wheelchair hire available. In the food hall there is a facility for warming baby bottles. Best of all from time to time in the holidays there is a free Techniquest area. At Christmas Santa visits.Last Christmas we went for the switching on of the lights , but didn't enjoy it as it was horrendously crowded.

Well why do you actually go to McArthur Glen, FOR THE SHOPS.

Everyone has their personal favourites ,according to age, sex, taste.Not all the shops are designer by any means, I wish there were a few more names that can't be found on the High Street, by the way one big gripe I hate being dragged into the Christmas shop in October by an excited 6 year old who has just spotted it. I can't really complain about Next, Clarkes, Claires or M&S being there as I do go in them, but I can find them on the High Street though there may be some bargains to be had, the range is much more limited.

I haven't been in every shop,but have some favourites. I often go into The Works which although mainly a book shop is becoming well known for economically priced art supplies. I do incidentially find the Paperchase shop expensive. Who doesn't like the well set out Julian Graves or the Whittards shop.

I really like the Autonomy clothes shop, and this year bought a super top in their summer sale, Cotton Traders has brill casual shoes and friendly staff, Mexx has good quality, well designed kids clothes, but I've left my very favourite shop of all till last, which is the lovely, lovely Klass shop. This has to my eyes at least a great selection of really stylish clothes, jackets, trousers, evening wear, jewellery, at very reasonable prices. They offer you a free loyalty card, if you spend a certain ammount you get a £10 voucher and you get a small seasonal catalogue thruugh the post. The staff are pleasant and helpful. Recently I bought some evening trousers, and have had quite a few compliments about a jacket I got there.

I could ramble on, haven't mentioned the 2 shoe shops which complement each other, Thorntons or Past Times, a relatively new addition. There is a Perfume shop, and soon a Welsh Clogau Gold shop.You would probably find your own favourites.

This shopping outlet is well worth a visit, you have to shop with care though as prices are not always as cheap as you might hope.Theres more to say, but you'll just have to pay a visit to check for yourself.

Summary: Well worth a visit