Shopping Centre

[ukpuffy]

What is the biggest shopping centre in the UK, is it Bluewater? Which is the biggest one nearest London?

[Buenchico]

There's probably not a definitive answer as to which shopping centre is 'biggest'. Centre A might have a greater area than Centre B, so Centre A declares that it's the biggest. But Centre B has actually got more shops than Centre A so Centre B also claims to be biggest.

At one time the Gateshead Metrocentre was generally accepted as the biggest shopping centre in Britain. When Lakeside opened, however, both centres claimed to be the biggest (based on the 'A versus B' type of argument above).

Nowadays most sources regard Bluewater as the biggest centre. (e.g. when they banned hoodies, all the news reports referred to a ban by "Britain's largest shopping centre, Bluewater"). It's not an undisputed title, however, as the BBC sometimes compares overseas shopping centres to "Britain's largest shopping mall, the Trafford Centre":
http://www.traffordcentre.co.uk/

It wouldn't surprise me if places like Meadowhall or even Merry Hill could find some statistics to try to show that they ought to be regarded as the biggest! At least in the London area, however, I think that you're fairly safe in sticking with Bluewater.

Chris

[nuoyg]

Think it could be Bluewater ukpuffy. It's defo worth a visit it is good shopping. If you're going before Xmas wouldn't go on weekend! Week day defo!

[vehelpfulguy]

I have not been to them all, but I have to say the Trafford Centre is amazing. Nearest shopping centre I have ever seen to a theme park.

Some of the architecture is amazing

http://www.arvonia.co.uk/images/client/resized/309-Trafford%20Centre.jpg

The Orient eating area is done out like an ocean liner, and the sky gradually changes from day to night and back again.

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/ic6/10.html

[ukpuffy]

Thanks guys, off to Bluewater I go (on a weekday, obviously!!)

[veritymoon]

you should check out the bullring in birmingham it even beats the trafford centre!

[Dee Sa]

as well as Bluewater, you can go to Brent Cross [ nearest to Central London] or Lakeside which is just across the Thames from Bluewater.

dont forget that the nearer it gets to xmas the more crowded these places get, plus is they all have free parking, try a Mon or Tues if you possibly can Sat/Sun can be a nightmare.