This place is a must for anyone who loves a bargain. I lived about 1 hours drive from here when it was first build (I think it was the 1980's) and I used to love our one or two trips out there a year. It was fab, and so American which was what I was in to at that time. Now, there is about a further 120 shops, and even better, I happen to live 10 minutes away.
~~~~OVERVIEW~~~ Boasting being UK's largest designer outlet, I get annoyed when people think it is just the same as other McArthurglen outlets. It's not, Cheshire Oaks is HUGE and until very recently, it boasted to be the biggest of its kind in Europe. It has a staggering 144 shops that offer up to 50% off retail prices all year round. At the end of the season, these can increase to 75% off.
~~~~LAYOUT~~~~ The shops are located in three areas set by car parks. Car parks A, B & C. Imagine a square. Car Park A is situated from the middle of the top side to the middle of the right side. Car Park B is situated from the middle of the top side to the middle of the left side. Car Park C area is the rest in a sort of smile shape. This is the biggest area of shopping. The first two areas have a single line of shopping with the car parks being the other side. Car Park C is different with most of the areas having shopping on both sides. Apparently if you do a full circuit walking past all the shops, you will have walked one mile.
~~~~ACCESSIBILITY~~~~ There are many toilets located around the outlet including disabled toilets, changing rooms and breastfeeding rooms. Some areas do differ in levels and the main thoroughfare has steps however, parallel to this is always a ramp. The only complaint I have is that the ramps aren't under cover unlike the steps so you do get a little wet in bad weather. Being outlet shops, there is the odd shop where a buggy or wheelchair might struggle to get fully round due to the large amount of stock on display. Don't let you be put off this, a gentle shove never goes a miss! I am only talking of Kitch 'n' Sync as well as Next to Nothing sometimes. There are many disabled and parent and toddler parking spaces in all car parks.
~~~~TIPS FROM A PRO SHOPPER~~~~ Best time to shop has to be the evenings. It is far quieter and a really nice relaxed atmosphere. Other than that, early when it opens (10am).
Worse time has to be half-term or bank holidays. As a local I would avoid it like the plague but having said that, I would go to other attractions if I was on holiday
which would be busy. We all have to do it sometime, just remember to be a little more patient. If it's really busy, follow signs to Car Park A, go past and right at the roundabout, which takes you into the multi-storey car park.
When I go, as I know the area, I don't go in every shop and can realistically do the outlet in an hour. I have taken friends who, after a few cuppas and lunch, stayed there for almost 7 hours however, these where huge shopaholics and I would allow no more than 3 hours including a break stop.
Depending on your plan, if I'm having lunch there, I would tend to park at area C and then go round, do my shopping then go to the food court in this area. For coffee stops, I would be more inclined to stop on my way around and go to one of the many coffee shops.
Try not to go with a specific list for example of a certain pair of trousers. You can walk round sometimes and get nothing, other times you can get loads. The stock changes very regularly and when you think of the amount of visitors from all over the UK and Europe, they never stay about for long.
I have returned a few items in the past and had no problems although, if you're visiting from afar, remember that you can only return to similar outlet stores, not the high street ones.
~~~~MY FAVOURITE STORES WITH DETAILS OF BARGAINS~~~~
NEXT TO NOTHING - remember all those sales items you never got to see? They end up here at the sale price, if not better. This is always the busiest shop though so be patient here. Word has got out that it has the best bargains. They also stock the ex-Directory stuff including great Maternity wear, shoes, and the odd home item. Best buy has to be a pair of trousers for my husband for £1.99. Situated at the top of Car Park B.
GAP - never bought anything full price from GAP but this is the place I go when I have clothes to buy for children. Have had some great bargains from here: a toddler's checked shirt reduced from £20 to £4.99. Children's socks are three for £5 which is really good value as they're really good quality sock that stay on babies feet.
CADBURY'S Like the shop in the Cadbury's Chocolate Factory: chocolate mis-shapes and lots of other chocolate goodies. I got 500gs of mini eggs for £1.99.
CLARK's Tons of shoes organised in sizes. Also sell clothes and bags and have a good range of toddler shoes. Recent purchase a pair of shoes reduced from £44 to £20.
THE PAPER MILL Outlet version of the popular shop. Recently got sheets of foil stickers for 69p that currently retail at 99p elsewhere.
~~~~OTHER STORES~~~~ This is a very long list but due to the diversity of the stores, I feel it is important to list them all. This is an updated list as of February 2006 as I wouldn't want you to visit to go to a shop that is no longer there! I have done my best to reorganise the list so it's easier to read and have done it in alphabetical order - hope it is approved of. So here we go…
~~~~OPENING TIMES~~~~ Monday to Friday 10 am to 8 pm. Saturday 11 am to 6pm. Sunday 11 am to 5pm.
~~~~WHERE TO EAT~~~~ There are a variety of places around outlet to eat, other than that, for a more substantial meal, there are many large food retailers in the retail park adjoining the outlet called The Coliseum which include Pizza Hut, Frankie and Benny's, Old Orleans, Bella Pasta and Nando's to name just a few.
In the middle area C, there is a food court, like many food courts in places such as Manchester's Trafford Centre, it house many food retailers including: MacDonalds, Spudulike, Harry Ramsdens, Fresh, Singapore Sam and Villa Pizza.
Scattered around the outlet are Starbucks, BB's, Costa Coffee, and Millie's Cookies as well as other cafes and ice cream carts.
~~~~DIRECTIONS~~~~ Situated off the A5117 south of Ellesmere Port. Although this review is under shopping in Liverpool, it isn't there. It's located the south side of the Wirral, close to Chester.
From M6, join the M56 to Chester and North Wales. Exit junction 15 which is signposted on to the M53. Stay in the slip road which will take you off the M53. Left at first roundabout and right at next into the complex.
From Liverpool area, go through one of the Mersey tunnels and follow signs on to the M53. Leave at junction 10. Turn right at roundabout and right again onto the complex.
~~~~WHERE TO STAY~~~~ Just off the A5117, within walking distance, there is a campsite which is well equipped.
There are various travel lodges, one at the services of junction 14 of M56, another on the A56 adjoining a Toby Carvery, both a few minutes drive from the outlet.
It is also very near to the 'Hoole Road Hotel Area' which is on the road into Chester. This area has many different B&B's and Hotels which Chester Tourist Information can advise you on.
~~~~OTHER PLACES NEARBY IF VISITING FOR A HOLIDAY~~~ Having friends all over the country, I know of people who have come down from Scotland to specifically go here and the Trafford Centre. Therefore, I feel I should give you a little info on the area if you wanted to spend some time here.
Already mentioned, the adjoining Coliseum which has two parts, a retail side housing a variety of shops including a huge single storey Borders Bookstore (including Paperchase and a Starbuck's), Mamas and Papas Superstore, Argos, Currys, Boots, HMV, The Entertainer toy shop, etc. The other side is the entertainment side which has a nightclub, cinema, bowling, as well as a huge selection of places to eat.
One roundabout away from the Coliseum is the Blue Planet Aquarium. Fantastic if you want a few hours relaxing. They have a really long tunnel similar to Sea World which has all the sharks and various fish swimming around you. Food in here is quite expensive.
It is just 15 minutes drive from the centre of the historic city of Chester which, again has great shopping as well as many tourist attractions.
A 30 minute drive could take you to either Liverpool where there are many free museums and galleries or more shops or, in a different direction, to Manchester's Trafford Centre.
Finally, the outlet is just a few miles from the Welsh border and you can be in Llandudno or Llangollen in just an hour.
~~~~FURTHER INFORMATION~~~~ McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks Management Suit Kinsey Road Ellesmere Port The Wirral CH65 9JJ
www.mcarthurglen.com
Tel: 0151 348 5600
~~~~FINAL THOUGHT~~~~ I hope this has encouraged many of you to give it a go and visit and that your visit leads to you saving lots of money!!! Happy shopping.
If you do visit Cheshire Oaks after reading this, do let me know how your shopping spree went.
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Great review, i'm going there today for the first time, i cant wait Liz :-) xx
stuartackers 08.04.2006 09:03
Fantastic review - i love this place, and you've done it justice! Stu
mum52 03.03.2006 00:05
Yep, has to be an E! Brilliantly written, nothing more to add. Of the shops there I think we prefer Next to Nothing too! Well worth a diamond, well done! :-)
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Advantages: Great choice for you and your family or friends. Disadvantages: Can be pricey and walks between are uncovered so bad weather can leave your dancin shoes a tad wet!
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