Back in 2001 this lovely decorated card dropped through the door. "Edinburgh waterfront welcomes you to Ocean Terminal. Being curious we packed the children in to the car and headed down to ocean terminal for the first time. Sit back and enjoy my review
What is Ocean Terminal
Ocean Terminal is a large (half million sqft) shopping centre set on the lovely up and coming waterfront near to Leith in Edinburgh. Set over three floors, ocean terminal offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and bars not to forget about the 12 screen cinema. It's all under one roof at Ocean Terminal.
Thanks to LRT (local bus company) Ocean terminal is served very well with buses, you will see buses leaving Ocean terminal every 5 mins at peak times. Buses will take to you princess street and other surrounding areas to allow to you either get a train
or connect with another bus.
Car - If within Edinburgh you can expect to get to Ocean terminal with 30mins from most areas, Easy to follow signs from North and East Edinburgh will get you there in no time. Coming from the west of Edinburgh you are better to follow signs for Leith which will lead you to Ocean Terminal. Customers travelling from Fife will get to Ocean terminal within 40-50mins. Ocean terminal has over 1600 free car parking spaces available to use, all set within the indoor multi-storey car park. On arrival in to Ocean Terminal is may look like you have to pay however Ocean Terminal management have taken the choice not to charge customers.
So you now have parked the car in your free space and now making your way in to the main shopping centre, depending on where you have parked you will either walk in through Debenhams or through the main entrance which will take you in to the main foyer. A huge selection of shops are now at arm's length - Over 70 shops within the three story building.
Shops include, Waterstones - Very spacious and staff are very professional and courtesy
Build a bear (previously bear factory) - A kids dream come - Staff are fantastic - Very pricey -
BHS - A very large store - Many bargains to be found - Not enough stuff -
Debenhams - Largest store in the centre - Staff are nice but too posh for me -
La-Senza - Wow what a shop - Girls I love ya
GAP - One of my favourite shops - Staff are fantastic - Layout of shop is great too
New Look - Always full of bargains - Plenty of staff -
Orange Shop - Staff are too pushy- Pity as the shop is bright and spacious and the range is great.
Phones4U - Fantastic staff - Helpful - Prices are competitive in comparison to other shops.
These are just a snippet of what is on offer at ocean terminal and how I find them. Other shops include HMV, O2, Claire's Accessories, Fat Shoes Day, Baby and Gift, Baxter, BHS, Debenhams, Xile Clothing, Wallis, White Clothing, Top Shop, Schuh, Rival, New Look, Joy, French Connection, D Perkins, Crew Clothing, Burton, Clinton, Thornton's, Boots, Perfume shop, Vision Express, H Samuel, Sunglass Hut, Goldsmiths, Faith Shoes and many more.
All the shops are very spacious and airy, bright and all easily accessible for people in wheel chairs.
Within Ocean Terminal there are many auto tellers and banks which include, RBS, BOS and nationwide. Banks are open normal hours and auto tellers are available onsite after they close. None of the banks charge for any withdrawals.
Now for the kids - On the 2nd floor of Ocean terminal they have a skate park which is open daily. The kids are supervised at all times by professional staff. This is very costly in my opinion and more information is available on Ocean Terminal website.
Molly's is a soft play area which you can pay for your child to go in to - Kids from birth to approx 8years old are allowed to use the facilities. Kids will love it, full of slides, ropes, balls and many climbing frames all set in a soft and safe environment. Adults need not worry when your kids are running wild you can sit back relax and enjoy a lovely cuppa whilst looking over to the Royal Yacht Brittania. Cost for Molly's is approx £2.50 for under 3's for 60 mins - £3.50 for children over the age.
Eating and Drinking - There are many fine establishments within Ocean terminal which include the likes of Cafe Expresso - Zizzi - Palace Chine - Ocean Bar - O'Briens - M&S Simply Food. From Ocean bar you have fantastic views of the Brittania. Most of these places are very pricey but you are paying for fantastic service, fantastic views and great surroundings.
Set on the top floor of the centre is a 12 screen vue cinema which is still like new to this date, Price are just what you pay at any other cinema. Staff are very professional and helpful.
As mentioned already you are also able to visit the Royal Yacht Brittania from Ocean terminal - For a small fee you can spend as much time as you like going through the ship. I have never been on the ship so I am unable to comment.
Final Thoughts
I have to say I would recommend Ocean Terminal to anyone that likes to wander around shops without being bugged by sales staff, lifts and escalators make is accessible for everyone and staff walking about the centre are always on hand to help if you need any assistance. I think it's fantastic that there is still somewhere you can shop in Edinburgh and park your car for free. The centre its self is very spacious, airy and well laid out. There are toilets within the centre also.
I visit the centre most months and on different days. Busy days are always Saturday, but even then it's not too busy.
Additional Information
Opening Times Mon - Fri 10am - 8pm Sat 10am - 7pm Sun 11am - 6pm
a nice review ,I think you did a good job ,thank you for your sharing friend
wigglylittleworm 29.01.2009 01:57
I thought the best part about ocean terminal was the free parking....I thought it was dull and devoid of character, much prefer Princes Street and wandering around there.
wantaratgirl 30.12.2008 10:22
E ~ plenty of detail and good opinion. I can almost see myself there - it sounds like my kinda place!
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Advantages: clean, bright, airy, good selection of shops and facilities, easy parking Disadvantages: can be a little too quiet at times, not a vast range of shops
Advantages: clean, bright, airy, good selection of shops and facilities, easy parking Disadvantages: can be a little too quiet at times, not a vast range of shops
Jul 1st, 2008
exceptional by (4%):
very helpful by (96%):
