In 1996, Manchester City Centre fell victim to terrorism. The IRA bombed the city centre and left a massive amount of damage. Fortunately no one was killed, and very few were even injured, but the Arndale shopping centre was left a wreck on one side, and the large Marks and Spencer store was ... Read review
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Advantages: Lots of shops, eateries and it is all very new at the moment after the refurbishments Disadvantages: Stil lhas tatty parts, and outclassed by the Trafford Centre
In 1996, Manchester City Centre fell victim to terrorism. The IRA bombed the city centre and left a massive amount of damage. Fortunately no one was killed, and very few were even injured, but the Arndale shopping centre was left a wreck on one side, and the large Marks and Spencer store was destroyed.
However, in the aftermath it was decided that the city would become bigger and better than ever, and send a defiant message to the ... ...the Arndale in Manchester is now far better in every way, and the Marks and Spencer store adjacent to it is Europe’s flagship store.
The Arndale itself is built in the heart of Manchester, and sits proudly along Market Street and Cross Street. It is set on 2 levels, and has a vast array of shops, eateries and so forth to keep you going.
Getting To It.
The Arndale does have its own multi-storey car park, ... more
In 1996, Manchester City Centre fell victim to terrorism. The IRA bombed the city centre and left a massive amount of damage. Fortunately no one was killed, and very few were even injured, but the Arndale shopping centre was left a wreck on one side, and the large Marks and Spencer store was destroyed.
However, in the aftermath it was decided that the city would become bigger and better than ever, and send a defiant message to the IRA while we were at it. And so we did, the Arndale in Manchester is now far better in every way, and the Marks and Spencer store adjacent to it is Europe’s flagship store.
The Arndale itself is built in the heart of Manchester, and sits proudly along Market Street and Cross Street. It is set on 2 levels, and has a vast array of shops, eateries and so forth to keep you going.
Getting To It.
The Arndale does have its own multi-storey car park, and several others nearby, but Manchester is not a god place to park, it is very expensive. I’d recommend the public transport.
The Arndale is well serviced by the city’s local tram, train and bus network, and with the city centre being reasonably condensed you will find it easily. The trams run right opposite it, and the buses and trains a mere 5-minute walk. There are of course also plenty of taxis around, but be sure to get an official one as we have had several bogus cabs recently, and some nasty things have happened.
Shopping.
Not all Manchester City Centre’s shops are actually within the Arndale, some are on market Street just outside, and basically just opposite the Arndale, so I’m including them anyway, even though not strictly part of it all.
Inside the Arndale there is a mixture of fashion, entertainment and diversity. In fashion terms we have for the ladies :
Topshop River Island Evans Dorothy Perkins New Look BHS Littlewoods
(And a few others that I forget because I never shop for women’s clothes)
And for the men :
Topman River Island Burtons Envy Ciro Citterio BHS Littlewoods
(And a few more that I forget, as I’m skint and can’t afford lots of clothes – altogether now – aahhhhhh)
For entertainment shopping, look no further than the 3 floor HMV, with a smaller sister store down the road, as well as a 3 floor Virgin Megastore. WHSmith offers plenty of choice, and as it was next to the bomb when it exploded has also had a total refit and looks better than ever.
MVC adds to the list, and there is an Our Price down the road. Game and Electronics Boutique cater well for the gaming freaks amongst us.
For the more diverse taste Manchester has a rather large Gadget Shop, selling all manner of weird and wonderful gizmos. There is also a wonderful shop called Situl’s, which specialises in weird and wonderful items, as well as the more regular models and collectibles (and some “adult” material at the back)
Also incorporated is the Manchester Indoor Market, selling everything from food to clothes, perfume to jewellery and the rest. Set over 2 floors the market is surprisingly large and has a range of items to offer. It is older than the Arndale itself, so it’s fair to say it incorporates the Arndale rather than vice versa.
Eating
Before the IRA bomb, Manchester had a foodcourt named Voyagers. It was a nice place above Market Street with several food outlets and a lot of seats. It has just recently re-opened after the damage caused was repaired, and is now called Food Chain.
It consists of a similar setting, food outlets like McDonalds, KFC and a Chinese, as well as lots of seats. It also now houses a newsagent and far better toilet facilities than ever before.
Food Chain is set above the centre of Market Street, and is accessible either via the Arndale or up large enclosed escalators from the street itself.
Inside the Arndale there are a few places to go to eat, there is another McDonalds, a Gregg’s for pasties and the like and Boots do a great sandwich range.
With Manchester having so many restaurants the need for snack venues isn’t as great, but add to the above the likes of Chinatowns bakeries and a few hot dog and burger stalls and there’s something for everyone.
Entertainment
For fun in the Arndale there may not be a plethora of things but there are some places to go to relax. One such place is on a Saturday afternoon underneath Voyagers on Market Street, where more often than not the local music students will assemble and belt out some absolutely stunning classical music. It adds an air of tranquillity to a rushed days shopping.
Inside there is a large central area often used for smaller events as well as the annual Christmas Grotto. The events here range from promotional ones to local radio events, but they usually draw the crowds.
Facilities
There are 3 lots of public toilets in the Arndale, with 2 more in Voyagers. These are all clean and well maintained.
There are maps to show you where shops are and an information kiosk if you get lost. The staff there are also kind and helpful if you need them.
Overall
Manchester Arndale may not be the worlds best shopping centre, but it houses (if you count the shops adjacent on Market Street) as many of the top names as you could want.
As a standalone centre it would fair only average, but as part of an excellent city, it is a good and solid addition.
Advantages: Great choice of shops. Disadvantages: Makes you spend money.
The Arndale Shopping Centre is an absolutely excellent centre with a great selection of leading High Street stores together with a lot of small stylish shops. The centre has a number of malls spreading in different directions on two separate levels. With over 200 shops there is a great variety of choice and there are shops to suit all tastes. The large stores in the centre include Boots, WH Smith, Argos, Bhs, Index, Spoils and Mothercare and there ... ...days a week with late night shopping on Thursdays. The centre is easy to get to with bus and tram stops nearby and a multi storey car park with 1450 spaces. If you want something to eat or drink there is a good selection of food outlets in an area called the FoodChain. These include KFC, McDonalds, Spud-U-Like, Bakers Oven, Chinese food, an ice cream parlour and more. This area is kept very clean and there is plenty of seating available. The shopping ...
daseaford 27.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Manchester Arndale Centre
Advantages: Good bargain Disadvantages: Crowded during weekends
...best place to shop in Manchester and the entire area is expanding daily. The latest addition being the Mark and Spenser shopping complex situated next to it. I rate the Arndale shopping centre the best place to shop in Manchester. You can get almost everything there. There are definitely shops offering great bargains and sales during weekends. At the same time, you can get your weekly food: meat, chicken, fish and other grocery stuff in the market ... ...things on sale is often one of the lowest around. There are so many shops selling clothes, the most popular ones like Top shop, Miss Selfridge, Bay and Mark One. For people who wants to buy a mobile phone, this is the best place to shop around. It has several shops and you can definitely get a good deal at the end of the day. ...
pehchiong 12.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Manchester Arndale Centre
Advantages: City Centre - range of Activities, easy access. Friendly place to meet. Disadvantages: Often very crowded, quite small compared to The trafford centre. Food Court is also a bit small.
If you live in Manchester or have heard of the Arndale Centre you may be aware of the traditional name given to it. In south Manchester it was always referred to as a public convenience, due to the dirty yellow cladding on the exterior of the building. This even today, 34 years since it was built, still remains on the outside of the Arndale tower. What has changed however is the exterior of the rest of the building. In 1996 the building, as with ... ...as part of "the new Manchester city centre". The exterior was clad with a lovely red brick colour and a lot is now glass fronted, it is a major improvement from the days of old.
While a vast area of the western part of the Arndale was out of Action (Argos, Foodcourt etc...) the Trafford Centre opened and removed a vast amount of trade from the City Centre. This has a huge impact on the Arndale centre, as it could not compete with the Trafford Centre, ...
stuartackers 06.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Manchester Arndale Centre
Advantages: shops all together, wide range of shops Disadvantages: none
I have been shopping in Manchester quite a few times now, and the one place i do go to shop is manchester's arndale centre.
It is situated in the centre of manchester. The centre has 2 levels with plenty of shops to go to. It's definitely worth spending a whole day there.
You can get to the trafford centre by bus, car or taxi, so there are plenty of ways to get there.
There are all kinds of shops here. There is something for everyone. There are ... ...of the shops that are there:-
Topshop and Topman
HMV
Dorothy Perkins
Burtons
New Look
Gadget Shop
and many many more!
There is also an indoor market too, which sells clothes, food, jewellery and more. This market sells cheaper items than the arndale centre itself though. The arndale centre is a large place and takes quite while to get round it and look in all the shops. It's best to spend the whole day there really.
There are plenty of places ...
tabyorky 30.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Manchester Arndale Centre
Advantages: Good for kids, lots of stores Disadvantages: Same as any other shopping centre
The biggest covered shopping centre in Europe? Well at least that is what the stickers I remember seeing as a kid used to say. On of my fondest childhood memories is of playing in the lego shop at the Arndale centre.
Of course it has all changed now, but it still must be great for kids. Pride of place goes to the Warner Bros Studios. Inside it the same layout as similar stores up and down the country but outside it has a great cartoon character ...
SpikeIsland 11.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Manchester Arndale Centre
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Is it worth visiting?
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