Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Covered shopping centre with free parking |
| Disadvantages: |
Mainly the normal High Street shops |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Last Saturday I ventured over to Bluewater for the first time. I was surprised that it only took 45minutes from the Croydon area. On arrival you are directed into the complex of car parks and I was impressed that they told you which were already full and directed you to those with spaces. I was also amazed at the number of parking spaces there were available. In fact there are 13,000 free parking spaces. (Worryingly, that means that if there is an average of 2 people per car then there could be 26,000 people at the centre!).
As we drove in, we got a full view of just what we were coming to. It was huge. Being under cover (once you are inside) also means that you can spend as long as you want shopping without worrying about the British weather. It is also a no smoking environment.
Having parked we ventured into the centre. Our car was closest to the Marks and Spencer entrance. We walked inside and stopped dead. Never have I seen such a large M & S! It went on for as far as the eye could see and appeared to have no way into the main centre. I knew other people who had gone to Marks and Spencer at Bluewater and was just beginning to wonder if that was because they never found their way out. Anyway, we headed for an escalator and managed to spy an exit in the distance. It led to another car park! Then finally we espied the way into the centre - we were free!
Being a Bank Holiday Saturday the place was extremely busy. It is a triangular shape with Marks and Spencer on one apex, House of Fraser on another, and John Lewis on the third. Halfway down the longest side is the Showcase Cinema. The shopping centre has two stories. It also very well signposted to the main 3 shops and eating areas, toilets etc. There are maps of the centre on each side of the triangle and there you can pick up leaflets about the centre that include a map. I would encourage you to do this, as we definitely needed to refer to it a number of times.
There are plenty of women's wear shops (51 in all), including Monsoon, Gap, Next, Principles, Jacques Vert, Miss Selfridge, Miss Sixty, Dorothy Perkins, Laura Ashlely, Naf Naf, Top Shop etc. In fact something for every age, taste and budget. As for shoe shops, my favourite, there are 18 in all. Most are typical High Street shops, such as Clarks, Russell and Bromley, Dolcis, Ravel and Shuh. But there are also a few less common stores such as Soletrader and Aldo. On the music front there is both a Virgin Megastore and an HMV, as well as an instrument shop, Make Music. Overall I was very impressed, although did miss not having a Debenhams and Allders as well. (I guess I wanted it all!). John Lewis is spread over 3 floors and so isn’t as large as it’s Oxford Street store, but did carry some lines that
London doesn’t. In particular it seemed to have a better selection of computer peripherals. House of Fraser was on 2 floors and we had a similar problem finding the way out to that experienced in Marks and Spencer! There is also a large 2 storey Boots store. It had plenty of make up counters on the top floor, many offering make overs.
As there are over 300 shops at the centre I shall spare you from listing them all! However, all of the following categories are covered: - Accessories and Luggage (10); Banks(4); Book, Cards and Stationery(12); Cafes and Bars (12); Cars(4); Children’s and Nursery Wear(10); Electrical Goods(16); Fashion General (36), Men’s (15)and Women’s(51); Florist(1); Food to Take Home(4); Footwear(18;) Formal Hire2); Gifts, Arts and Crafts(24); Hair Accessories(1); Hairdressers (2); Health and Beauty16); Homeware(11); Jewellery and Watches(18); Maternity Wear(4); Music(3); Newsagents2); Restaurants(15); Snacks, Confectionery and Ice Cream (12); Speciality Food (2); Sports and Outdoor (15); Toys and Games 11); Travel (4).
For those with children there is a Kids Village and Creche for 2-4 year olds on weekdays and 2-8 year olds at weekends and Bank Holidays. There are also baby care rooms and changing facilities, bottle warming and mothers’ feeding area. The restaurants tend to be located in 3 main areas, The Village – with a Mediterranean feel; the Water Circus – where most of the restaurants are; the Wintergarden – where the cafes are mainly located.
The centre is wheelchair friendly and has Shopmobility. There is a Pathfinder guidance system, large print, braille maps and personal guides.
However Bluewater is not just about shopping. You can hire cycles and tandems to explore the area around the lakes (there are 6 of them). There are 2 and 6 seater pedalos available for hire on the lakes, as well as traditional rowing boats. If you have a valid rod licence there is a fishing lake stocked with roach, tench and perch, you just need to purchase a ticket for this. You can also get some off-road driving experience with Land Rover. There are 2 walking trails and Golf Pro Tour Putting. For the children there is a climbing wall within the centre.
Opening hours: -
Mon – Fri 10am –9pm
Saturday 9am – 8pm
Sunday 11am – 5pm
Bluewater General Enquiries 0845 6 021021
Overall I was impressed and shall definately be making return visits.
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very helpful
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