If you live in Northampton and have to suffer shopping there, a trip to Milton Keynes can be a treat. However I can only recommend a trip during the week, as the weekends are suffocatingly busy.
Everybody talks about the dreaded Milton Keynes roundabouts and how Americanised the streets and street-names are, but actually the road signs at all these roundabouts are helpful, and you cannot miss the shopping centre.
The main shops are signed from as far back as the M1 and there is even a free park and ride although I have not used this so cannot comment. I would certainly suggest using this facility at the weekends as parking does become a problem. If you do decide to park the prices have actually gone up from today (15 October 2001) to 80p per hour however it’s not as simple as that as you cannot pay £3.20 for four hours. You instead pay £3 for three hours 45 minutes – confusing eh? It used to be 1p per minute so £3 would get five hours and if you put it that way it’s quite a rise.
Once you’ve arrived it’s all systems go, and you are welcomed by quite an impressive array of shops. There are numerous eateries and, of course, as is the norm at the moment, umpteen coffee shops although there is not a food hall in the same way as say Meadowhall or The Trafford Centre, each establishment having its own distinct area.
Last year a new extension was added to the centre. This section is now home to various designer type ladies clothes shops such as Karen Millan, Mango and Planet which all seem quiet compared to the other shops, perhaps CMK isn’t ready for this?
Other shops that can be found include: House of Fraser Debenhams John Lewis Laura Ashley Jeffrey Rogers French Connection H&M Ottakars (Books) Schuh The Discovery Store
as well as all the expected High Street stores (Next, BHS, M&S, HMV, Waterstones, New Look, Boots etc.etc.)
In addition there are numerous cash points should you spend all your money unexpectedly as well as hairdressers, jewellers, electrical goods stores etc.
One thing to be aware of is that whilst walking to the new section you find yourself unexpectedly on a public highway where cyclists and skateboarders seem to show absolutely no regard to the humble pedestrian shopper. Not all of this section is covered either so you may find yourself getting unexpectedly wet.
In addition to the shops there is also an outside market. This is a standard market i.e. cheap and cheerful and does not have anything out of the ordinary to recommend itself.
There is a large area where displays take place at various times such as Book Sales or adverts being filmed. This is where a spectacular Christmas display and Santa’s grotto can be found during December.
The centre is clean and all toilet facilities are of a high standard. I would certainly recommend a visit here but as I said at the beginning the weekend is a no-no visit.
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