I am someone who lives virtually on the doorstep of The Metrocentre. It is not really in Newcastle but just outside situated on the A1 Western Bypass, and it is Europe's largest out of town shopping complex, but I am sure it is run very close by some more recent openings.

Growing by the day the Metrocentre covers an enormous amount of ground. Although parts of it are open to the elements, the main shopping area itself is in a pleasant indoor air-conditioned envirment with much of the light being natural let in through the glass roof throughout the centre.

Finding your way around can be a little confusing simply because of the sheer size of the place. But don't worry there's helpful maps and signs placed at mutiple points around the walkways. To further aid you in finding you're way around the centre is devided into four coloured quadrants which interlink each other at "towncentres".

Access for disabled and parent's with children in prams/pushchairs is excellent, with a host of escallators and lifts at convenient spots throughout the centre. For those who require the use of a wheelchair , there are chairs available on site, information concerning this service can be obtained from one of the helpful staff members at the information desks within the centre.

All the big name stores are there, including Woolworths, Marks & Spencer and Littlewoods.
Along with all the other high street names you'd expect to find in most large shopping centres or high streets.

But not just the shoppers are catered for, how about just going for a drink in one of the many bars, or something to eat, there's everything from McDonalds to a fine Itallian restaurant to the local chippy.

What about the kids, to keep them happy there's the multi-screen cinema complex, bowling alley, quazer-lazer and a full indoor funfair/amusment park including it's own indoor rollercoaster.

To name all t
he attractions of the Metrocentre would take to long, so why not take a look for yourself.

Don't know how to get there, don't worry it's easy to find it's just off the A1 at Gateshead.Once there the parking is all free and with the two mutistorey car parks and several outdoor ones there is always somewhere to leave the car, just don't forget where you left it.

And if you don't drive or don't want to, thats not a problem as there is access to the Metrocentre by either rail or coach.

I could go on and on, there really is so much more to see and do, it must be good though because there is a constant flow of shoppers arriving from not only all over the UK but from Europe too.

For more information i suggest you check out the website at http://www.themetrocentre.co.uk/home.htm