Meadowhell (Meadowhall)

Member Name: paulhanton

Product:	Meadowhall
Date:	24/06/09 (186 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: convenient

Disadvantages: It's a mall

Meadowhall Shopping Centre.

Near Sheffield.

Now I hate shopping Malls, not dislike, not, grumble about.....HATE. The Individuality of shops and shopping seems to have been swallowed up by these monstrosities which are built just out of big towns, usually off motorways, and usually full of the same old shops, selling the same old stuff, with chavvy staff that do not care a hoot about the customer.

So why, might you ask am I reviewing such a place, especially when it has a tagline of 'Land of Shoppertunity'? (pass me the vomit bowl).

Two reasons, firstly, like it or not, it has a better range of shops than Barnsley and secondly, for a myriad of reasons I find myself there quite often, whether it is going to the cinema, buying a last minute present or being a taxi and waiting service for my 14, going on 24 year old son and his mates.

Many such reviews contain a long list of shops......I am certainly not going to do that......you can probably guess the shops by name, with a few exceptions of some higher price, pretentious offerings.

This review will centre more on the 'experience' of shopping at Meadowhall, or as it is affectionately known in South Yorkshire, MeadowHELL.


~~~The Shops and shopping~~~

As I have said, the shops are very samey, with a few minor exceptions. The good thing about Meadowhall shops (if there is a good thing) is the variety and choice; 280 shops (according to the website) and I don't think that includes food outlets or stalls.

With this many shops a bargain is sure to be found, and in this time of credit crunch I have found that a smile, joke and a little haggling go a long way, especially in the smaller stores...10% off is a certainty, 20% is a good possibility.

The shopping itself is okay as long as you avoid peak times and there are a few nice little shops tucked into a place called 'The Lanes' such as a music store and a few little alternative T shirt stalls, a great little shop is called 'The Last Picture Show' which sells comics, models and all things geeky.


~~~Convenience~~~

12,000 free parking spaces sounds an awful lot, but when the centre has over 800,000 visitors a week, this means parking spaces are often few and far between, especially at peak times.

Situated just off the M1, it is easy to get to by car and easy to arrive by train and bus too.


~~~This is good~~~

A multi screen cinema, whilst expensive, is a must when the teenager goes to that geek heaven called Games Workshop for three hours...there is generally something worth watching for me and Mrs H, and the showings are rarely more than half full so we can snuggle and giggle a bit. My big tip here is buy your drinks from GT News before going into the cinema and paying double price for the same diet Coke!

The Lanes; a good little diversion from the main shopping mall, oh yeah, I like the Apple shop too, friendliest staff in Meadowhall.

The food outlets are varied and decent, right from Chavvy Fried Chicken to Nandos, Tapas bars and little French numbers....I generally have a curry.

The Meadowhall staff (not store staff) are generally helpful and cheery.


~~~This is not good~~~

The crowds. Almost anytime between 11 am and 2pm, and especially all day Saturdays.

The ignorant people, and my god are there some ignoramus's in Meadowhall...one thing that really bothers me is when they wolf down their McDonalds and just leave the rubbish on the table when they are two steps away from one of the many food bins.

It is not just visitors that are ignorant. I was in NEXT waiting at the counter to pay for a shirt, the asssitant was on her mobile, ringing my item through, I wanted to know if they had the same style in any other colours (long sleeve, grandad neck), she rolled her eyes, said on the phone to her mate "Hang on I've just got to speak to someone" and then gave me short shrift, like sorry for bothering you love!! There are more tales like this that I will not relate or I will get stressed just writing this.


~~~Top Tips and final thoughts~~~

Never go on a Saturday
Never go less than 3 weeks before Christmas
Always know what you want before you go
Compare prices online before you go, there is haggling to be done
Be assertive with naff staff, you are the customer

It aint as bad as some places I have been, but given the choice I would not go at all...convenient, spacious, bargains to be had.....but still full of chavs and shop assistants that need lessons in customer service.

Summary: Meadowhall