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Trafford Centre (Manchester)
by shrekapeezy
I go to the trafford centre about twice a week, once to shop and the other to play in the arcades. The thing i love the most about the trafford centre is having everything i need under one roof. The trafford centre is packed with all my favourite shops such as river island, debenhams, john lewis, selfridges and fat face, but it nalso has ... stores that you wont find on your typical high street such as guess, swarkovski, the sunglass hut, disney store, and armani xchange. There is something for everyone at the trafford centre and the food court is that diverse that everyone will find something they like to eat.
For entertainment they have the odeon cinema, and the arcade which is always great for a laugh. Inside the arcade is bowling and dodgem cars as well as the usual stuff that arcades tend to have. I'm particularly partial to a bit of air hockey and its tradition that every sunday me and my other half have dinner then visit the arcade and blow some money!
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Westfield Shopping Centre (London)
by Boycey1987
When I first stepped into the Westfield Shopping Centre (or should I say Mall, it feels way more American than any other shopping centre I've been to, including American ones) I was overawed by the size and cleanliness of the place.
Being from Essex, I grew up with Lakeside AKA Chavside, which did the job of my town High ... Street, but under one compact roof. Now when I was younger I thought that was big. If Westfield was open back then, it would have seen colossal.
The shopping centre (mall) is a little confusing at first, and the technological advanced maps are always heavily popular, making it difficult to navigate at times. After checking the internet map before going, and being a man who is not so bad at locating things, it doesn't pose too much of a problem.
I saw a review on here lamenting the lack of MacDonalds and KFC. Are you mad? I was refreshed to not see the treacherous Golden Arches and Colonels smug beardy face.
Alright there's a Burger King, but that is a posh person's MacDonalds, so it's not too bad. You should open your palette to some of the delights the food court offers. I mean, it does have a Nandos! But a place I like is called TiffinBites, an Indian place with serious good food. You don't have to go overboard, they do lovely clay-oven wraps and rolls (and if you have a Taste London card, 50% off, result!)
Now to the important part - shopping. Part of me is sad at the demise of the High Street, with empty shops not being filled, probably with the popularity of the big three - Bluewater, Lakeside and Westfields.
But part of me wants to say 'I told you so.' Every High Street looks the same. Same shops, same bland food, same benches - it's kind of depressing that I could be shopping in Southend High Street and then shopping in 'Northern Town' High Street and it could be the same place.
Westfields offers everything easily under one large roof. The usual Topman, Zara, H&M and HMV, mixed with some you don't get in my local High Street, Hollister, Ed Hardy and All Saints.
Oh and there's no Primark - refreshing!
And for the richer amongst you, a 'millionaires' row of designer shops, like Louis Vitton and others that I cannot think of, simply because I don't shop there (although, like many others, window shop!)
The transport links are great, tube, buses and overground all seconds away. Being on the Central Line, means you can easily do, if you're brave, Oxford Street and Westfields (although, comparing the two, Oxford Street is crowded and stressful.)
Oh and let me mention the toilets before I sign off. The ones by 'millionaires' row. Wow. Best public toilets in London, if not London, if not Europe, if not the world! Luxurious.
A pleasant experience can be found at Westfields, and I'm not that big on shopping. If you get dragged around by the other half, you can be save in the knowledge that all the thirsty work can be quenched by a nice frosty beer in one of the lovely pub/restaurants in the outside bit, which is lovely in the Summer.
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Liverpool One
by CorrieH18
Liverpool One is the must go place whenever I need a good shopping trip. Forget New York, Paris or Milan, Liverpool One should be made the shopping capital of the world, and there are plenty reasons why...
LOCATION
Liverpool One is situated in the heart of Liverpool's City Centre, so you are not far away from any of the ... train stations and motorways .Plus, it is easy to find, as there are plenty signs to point you in the right direction. On the short walk to Liverpool One, you pass quite a few shops on the way, my favourite part being the boutique centre part that is just "next door". Albert Dock is just a short walk from Liverpool One, which hosts a few lovely shops and cafes, as well as the stunning view on a summer's day. The Cavern Club is also nearby, which is worth a visit if you aren't from round Liverpool.
SHOPS
There is a large range of shops for everyone and every price range there. For the men, there is Fred Perry, Liverpool and Everton FC shops and many more. For the kids there are a few toy stores such as the Disney shop. I have saved the best till last: the shops for women. For the higher price range there are shops like Mango, Lipsy, All Saint and Karen Millen. For those on a budget there are Peacocks, New Look, Jane Norman, Primark and H&M. To eat there are a range of place to eat, no matter what your taste is, from Starbucks, Café Rouge, Nandos, Zizzi and Yo! Sushi.
DESIGN
Liverpool One is quite futuristic looking at it from a architectural point of view as it has quite a curvy design and structure, but in a way it looks like a sore thumb in the middle of all the other historical surrounding such as the Cavern Club and Albert Dock. Some of the shops are under cover, but if it is a rainy day, you will get quite wet, as many of the shops are outside without cover. I guess us shoppers will have to suffer!
VISITORS
I don't actually live in Liverpool, but I try and give Liverpool One a visit at least twice a year. There are quite a few hotels nearby, such as the new curvy shaped Hilton, Novotel and Albert Dock Premier Inn. (The further you stay away from the city centre, the cheaper the rooms are.)
I would definitely recommend this as a day out or even a weekend thing for those who don't live in Liverpool; every shopaholic should experience Liverpool One at least once.
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