Eldon Square (Newcastle)

...I used to go to Eldon Square in the school holidays with my grandma and we would meet my sister and my nephews in Newcastle and go shopping. Therefore, for me Eldon Square has some happy memories as well as some great shops :)

Eldon Square is an indoor shopping centre located in the heart of Newcastle and as I am now studying in Newcastle I have been here quite often recently. Eldon Square first opened in 1976 and serves a catchment ...
...It is lovely walking into Eldon Square on a cold day, as it is really warm (so especially good at this time of year!)

The entrance on Northumberland Street is on a bit of an incline and it's the usual type of flooring in indoor shopping centres (the type that always makes my feet tired!) I'm always tired after I've walked around Eldon Square looking at the shops. However, recently I've only been popping in to go to one particular shop ... more

When I was younger I used to go to Eldon Square in the school holidays with my grandma and we would meet my sister and my nephews in Newcastle and go shopping. Therefore, for me Eldon Square has some happy memories as well as some great shops :)

Eldon Square is an indoor shopping centre located in the heart of Newcastle and as I am now studying in Newcastle I have been here quite often recently. Eldon Square first opened in 1976 and serves a catchment area of 2.7 million people. There are a number of entrances but I usually enter at the one on Northumberland Street. This leads straight to the shops. It is lovely walking into Eldon Square on a cold day, as it is really warm (so especially good at this time of year!)

The entrance on Northumberland Street is on a bit of an incline and it's the usual type of flooring in indoor shopping centres (the type that always makes my feet tired!) I'm always tired after I've walked around Eldon Square looking at the shops. However, recently I've only been popping in to go to one particular shop so it doesn't tire me out so much!

~ Shops ~

There are a large number of shops in Eldon Square, many of which are high street stores. Shops include; Fenwick's, Marks and Spencer, Boots, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Clinton Cards, Top Man and Clarks. There are 156 stores in Eldon Square so naturally I cannot list them all but there is a search facility on the Eldon Square website which allows you to search through all the shops. Most of the shops are quite spacious and well lit.

~ Places to eat ~

There are a variety of places to eat and drink in Eldon Square, including Pizza Hut Express, McDonalds and Thornton's Café. There are also places such as Gregg's and Milligan's Bakery. Again, you can search for places to eat on the website but they are also easy to find once you are in there. There is a Millie's cookies, which nine times out of ten I can't resist stopping and buying from (they are just so delicious!) I was quite surprised when shopping with my friends (from Northern Ireland) that they had never heard of Millie's cookies. I just assumed they were available through the UK but obviously I was wrong. (I think I might have converted them though, lol!)

~ Developments ~

There are currently some redevelopment works going on in Eldon square. Although this doesn't spoil the shopping experience there is one area, which is currently blocked off while the works go on. More details, images and plans can be found on the website. Also there is a CD available for teachers and students "to provide a living context for teaching and learning in the National Curriculum". (more information in the website)

~ Getting There ~

Newcastle can be easily accessed by bus or metro. There are two major metro stations in Newcastle and both are within easy distance of at least one entrance of Eldon Square. There are a number of bus stations in Newcastle, which also allow easy access to the shopping centre.

If driving into Newcastle, there are car parks to the North and South of the Eldon Square providing 1250 parking Spaces. There are also other areas in Newcastle with car parking facilities.

There are specific directions on the website should you want to drive in. Theses are available for each direction (North, South, East, West!)

~ Eldon Square Gift Vouchers ~

Eldon Square gift vouchers are available. These are ideal as they can be spent in (almost!) any store in Eldon Square. I say almost because I went to spend my £10 voucher in Hawkins Bazaar but because they are only open around Christmas time they do not accept them. I have since spent my voucher in Boots :)

~ Opening Hours ~

These are the opening hours that I found on Eldon Square's website.
Monday - 09.00-18.00
Tuesday - 09.00-18.00
Wednesday - 09.00-18.00
Thursday - 09.00-20.00
Friday - 09.00-18.00
Saturday - 09.00-18.00
Sunday - 11.00-17.00
(These times exclude bank holidays)

~ Other Information ~

There are two customer service desks in Eldon Square where there are staff to give information. This is also where you can purchase Eldon Square vouchers in denominations of £5, £10 and £25. Wheel chairs are available for hire at the service information desk and you can also pick up maps here.
"Eldon Square has been designed with careful consideration for disabled shoppers" (www.eldon-square.co.uk) The toilets, walkways and lifts are all easily accessible for people using wheelchairs.

~ Advantages ~

• Large Range of Shops
• Indoors (to shelter from the cold and rain of Newcastle!)
• Easily Accessible

~ Disadvantages ~

• Tiring walking around the shops!
• Mainly high street stores

~ Finally ~
I like Eldon Square and it is handy when I'm at University and need to call into one of the shops (especially when it's cold and wet!) However, I would prefer to travel to the Metro Centre (Gateshead) than to Eldon Square if I was choosing an indoor shopping facility.

Thanks for reading! xx 

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