Brunel Centre Shopping: A Waste of Space? (Brunel Shopping Centre)

Member Name: stuntpilotx

Product:	Brunel Shopping Centre
Date:	11/01/09 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good disabled access, Massive boots.

Disadvantages: Lack of shops, expensive stores, security on a power trip.

The Brunel shopping centre is seen as the pinnacle of shopping in Swindon, Wiltshire. The shopping centre is right in the centre of the town and is served by multiple transport links, it's only a 2 minute walk from the bus station and a 5 minute walk from the train station. The shopping centre also has it's own multi-storey car park that allows you to exit on the 3rd floor directly into the shopping centre itself.

The shopping centre is housed on two floors and in two buildings with a walkway through to the otherside on the second floor. The main shops are House of Fraser, Marks and Spencers and Boots which all have the biggest stores, but there also such stores as Western Computer, Waterstone's, Sole Trader, Zaavi and Lush.

Foodwise, there are few choices, though both House of Fraser and M&S have cafes, there is a Starbucks, a BBs and a Cafe Roma. There is also a MacDonalds nearby. Nearby Havelock street contains a huge number of independent cafes if you're looking for something a bit different.

The shopping centre is easy to traverse, with escalators and lifts. They also have the shop mobility scheme for those who are disabled. Most staff are helpful and friendly, however the Security Guards appear to be on a permanent power trip. If you are under the age of 25 be aware that sitting on a bench within the centre alone to eat your Boots meal deal will probably be something to be thrown out for as the security in this centre appears to have a great problem with people of a young age, seeing them all as 'yobs', even when the people are behaving properly and not causing any disturbance to other people.

Despite being a large shopping centre, there is not the biggest selection of shops available, and many seem to close down regularly. There are some stalls in the lower level of the centre, and several of these are the cause of much annoyance to those who use the centre regularly, as they constantly attempt to get your attention to sell you items you potentially do not want (the Black Sea Spa stall and the Sky stall are the main culprits of this). You will need to go into the main town centre to do some of your shopping, in order to have a larger number of stores available.

Summary: Good if you can afford to shop there. Not a major shopping centre.