I expect most of you have not even thought about Christmas 2006, however if you are like me, then you start thinking about buying pre-Yuletide gifts now. In that case then it might be worth your while to take a trip to Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth.

Gunwharf Quays is a relatively new waterfront development between the Dockyard and Old Portsmouth, a haven for businesses, shopping, entertainment and restaurants.

Very recently the Spinnaker Tower was finally completed and you can ride up to the top in its glass lift. Not for those who don't like heights believe me but the view is fantastic I have been told. The Spinnaker Tower is set to become a new icon, soaring 170 metres above the harbour of Portsmouth. The Spinnaker resembles a large sail and if you keep this into view whilst driving towards Gunwharf, you wont miss the car park. There is also a great restaurant under the tower with amazing views over the solent.

Gunwharf is a shopping outlet built right in the heart of Portsmouth. What makes this place so special is that it sells brand names for 75% less than the high street. It's not just in January either; it's all year round. If you are unsure about that making that first trip, then please read on for some further advice and recommendations.

***GETTING THERE***:

To be honest it's an absolute nightmare. We go by car and driving through Portsmouth town centre to gain access to the Quays is far from easy. Whatever time you enter Portsmouth it's hectic and reminds me of a smaller version of London, lots of lanes, huge round abouts and vehicles that come at you from all angles. The A3 (M) or M27/A27 connect Portsmouth Harbour with the motorway network so when you arrive in to Portsmouth (M275) you then follow the brown signs to the "Historic Waterfront" and then you pick up Gunwharf Quays.

We come from Basingstoke and take the M3, M27 route in and its all sign posted but just a nightmare to drive through so take care.

If you use public transport then the nearest train station is Portsmouth Harbour, which is only a 5-minute walk away. Bus stops serve the whole city, and National Express stops, are located at the Hard Interchange which is also a short walk away.

There is also a park and ride system in place and also a taxi rank is located next to Marks & Spencer.

***PARKING***:

The main car park at the Quays is huge and usually we don't not have to wait that long to get inside. On entering the car park there are 4 entry lanes inside with ticket barriers. The lanes slowly merge into two so be careful and give way accordingly. Once inside it is well lit and extrmely well maintained.
The lanes are marked for pedetraians but the exit lanes onto the next floor are somewhat confusing. We encountered quite a few no entrance signs before we found a way up and a way out.

It is very busy and hectic inside so just be careful and be aware. The allocated spaces are box standard in that they just allow an MPV in, not much door room.

Prices are a bit steep. It's a ticket barrier so as you exit out of the village remember to pay for your ticket there and then. The pay booths are very easy to use and take most coinage and notes (UK). They give you change if you don't have the right money and there is also a help buzzer to connect you to a member of staff.

Charges are as follows:
2 hours, £2.50
3 hours, £3.50
4 hours, £4.50
5 hours, £5.50
6 hours, £6.50
7 hours, £8.00
10 hours, £10.00
Over 10 hours, £20.00

If you want to stay overnight there is a hotel close to the Quays. Contact number is 0870 417 6161.

***DISABLED and PRAM/BUGGY ACCESS***:

Very easy to get around. There are large lifts at many points and all shops are easy to get into. There is a customer service point as you enter the quays that offer help to all disabled customers. As the shops are on the level, access is no problem.

There is a shop mobility scheme at Gunwharf Quays. According to the leaflet I picked up there are 4 electric scooters, 2 electric wheelchairs and 20 manual wheelchairs available to anybody with mobility difficulties and can be used free of charge.
Call on 023 9283 6700 for more details.

***TOILETS***

Very clean and with baby changing facilities. At weekends the ladies loo's are full so be prepared to que. Also disabled toilets but most are locked and you have to find an attendant unless you hold a special key to unlock.
They are located on the waterfront next to Café Giardino and on Caen Marché next to Cotton Traders. The disabled toilets are off Marlborough Avenue next to Presto.

***CASHPOINTS***
There is set of cash machines (Halifax, NatWest and HSBC) by Marks & Spencer and there is a Lloyds TSB cash machine by Burger King.
There are also a cash machines in Tiger Tiger, Bar 38 and The Old Customs House. Not sure if these are free to access your cash so be prepared to pay .
There is a Bureau De Change in Central Square.

***CAR WASH***
Yes, no joke, there are mobile car washers around the car park. They charge from £8 for a basic wash upto £65 for a full valet.
I had them wash my Galaxy and when I got home noticed they didn't clean the roof completley, leaving a mohican stripe down the middle. Perhaps they better invest in step ladders.

***SHOP TILL YOU DROP****:

This is the best bit. Once on the middle floor the world of shopping comes into itself. As you exit the lift you are (usually) greeted by a market of some sort. The last time I was there it was a French market and the aroma was unbelievable. Don't expect many French bargains as the market is mostley food and the odd craft or two. The chocolate crepes are not to be missed but the chocolate marshallows are way over priced - £5 for a few marshmallows dipped in chocolate, well over priced.

The shops are all around you and depending what you want, just shop till your feet can take no more. If you turn left at the lift exit and then left again, follow the shops round, you will come to the ferry point which is the hilight of my trip to the Quays.

Yes I love the shopping but there is something quite awesome seeing these huge ferries close up, gracefully slide into the harbour and then leave again. I admit to being an anorak and spend a good 30 minutes looking over the quayside just admiring the beautiful boats. Ok enough of that before I go into one.

Here's a line up of what is on offer:
Animal
Burberry
Cotton Traders
Elle
Fred Perry
GAP
Hobbs
Jack Wills
Kurt Muller
Levi Strauss
LK Bennett
Marks & Spencer
Monsoon
NEXT
Nitya
Oakley
Paul Smith
Puma
Ted Baker
Tog 24Vans
Adidas
Barbour
CK Underwear
Crew Clothing Co.
Fat Face
French Connection
Gunwharf Logo
StoreInWear
Karen Millen
WhistlesLakeland
LeatherLiz
Claiborne
Mambo
Mexx
Mountain
Warehouse
NikeO'Neill
Oasis
Polo
Ralph Lauren
Reef
Timberland
Triumph International
lhite Stuff

AND THERE'S MORE:

Absolutely Africa
Bose
Carphone Warehouse
Crabtree & Evelyn
Factory Outlet Cars - yes you can buy real cars , not that many on display though.
Gunwharf News
Remington
Thorntons
Whittard of Chelsea Boots
Cadbury
Clinton Cards -
Daniel James Jewellers
Gunwharf Logo Store
Julian Graves
The Perfume Shop
Toyzone
Whittard of Chelsea

***SOME OF MY PERSONAL FAVOURITES***
:

Next: - Recently opened and on two floors. Lots of items currently in the stores are here are very reduced prices. Absolutely worth a look.

Donnay - Some unbelievable bargains on my last visit. These included:

1 x size 12 Addidas ¾ length shorts with England logo. Retail at £24.99, I paid £5.
2 x men's size large rugby shirts with England logo. Retail at £30.00, I paid £2.99.
Donnay socks retail at £10.00 for 5 pairs, I paid £1.75.
Nike sports bottle retails at £5, I paid £1.
Childs JCB shorts age 6, retails at £19.00, I paid £3.

A pain if you have a buggy as this store is packed full of stock. Hard to get around if you have a wheelchair on busy days.

GAP - say no more, speaks for itself.

O'Neill - brilliant summer clothes and great shades to match.

Clarks - Yes the shoe shop! Do not go anywhere else

for your children's shoes, everything half the price of what you pay in store. Sunday is the busiest day so be warned, it's packed in there.

Toyzone:

Similar to the Entertainer inside but not as vast. Some great bargains to be had here.

***NOT SO GOOD***:

Boots - as always Boots is by far very expensive and they do not reduce their prices here. It's a box standard Boots, nothing special. I avoid them whether in town or here.

Marks and Spencer - A very messy outlet, only selling stock they can't shift in the main stores. Not worth the walk unless you want to get to the cash points which are right next door to the entrance.

Cadbury's - Once again no different in prices. Selection the same as in the supermarkets.

Remington: No cheaper.

****FEELING PECKISH***

Unfortunately there is not 75% off the restaurants and bars but none the less there is a good selection on both middle and top floors of the quays.

Take your pick from
Bar 38
Bowlplex
Frankie & Benny's
Levant
Nandos
StradaTiger Tiger - restaurant and club, quite expensive
Bar Risa
Café Rouge
Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen
Loch FyneSanta Fe
Azzurro
Burger King Not brilliant.
La Tasca - expensive
The Old Customs House - well worth a visit.
Tootsies
Yellow River Cafe - Asian food, very delish!
Bar 38
Bowlplex
Cafe Giardino
Charbar
Grosvenor Casino
Indian Palace
Madisons Deli
Pizza Express
Water Margin

I recommend "THE OLD CUSTOMS HOUSE". Great English food and good traditional beer plus you can sit outside in the summer and watch the ferries up close (here I go again). Expect to pay around £7 for a meal here plus your drink. Good portions though and the roast dinner is divine.

I also like the Charbar where you cook the food yourself on your own table. This makes a good night out with adults, with children it's a nightmare.

If you have kids then they usually opt for the only junk food outlet in the village which is Burger King. Situated very close to the Spinnaker. Always busy and not that clean inside. Once again the prices are the same as the town centres.

***IF THE OTHER HALF IS BORED***:

Then send him or her up to the top floor where he or she can bowl, have a pint and watch a film while you spend on their credit card - oh bless..

OPENING HOURS OVER CHRISTMAS:
On Christmas Eve the stores will be open from 9am - 5pm
Christmas Day closed!
Boxing Day, 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 27th December - Friday 30th December, 10am - 8pm
New Years Eve - 9am - 5pm
Normal hours:
Monday to Friday, 10am - 8pm
Saturday, 9am - 8pm
Sunday, 10am - 5pm
Restaurants and bars have their own separate closing times, best to check with them beforehand.

***TO CONCLUDE***:

Gunwharf Quays is quite an amazing place to shop. Most of the outlets are very cheap and there are bargains to be had. It's not the size of London but it does not have London prices.
There are customer points but not many. If you take children make sure they do not wander away. However you can report a lost child at the Visitor Information Kiosk where a member of staff l contacts the Gunwharf Quay's security.
Yes it's worth a visit even though its not the easiest place to get to.
However, be careful if you decide to visit there when it has been raining. I could not believe just how dangerous the floors are, shoppers were falling over like domino's yesterday. My chidren also a took a tumble and I had a rather un -lady like slide a few times. I was amazed there were no warning signs either so therefore take care when its wet outside. The decking by the tower is the worse area to walk.

Happy shopping folks.

www.gunwharf-quays.com for full contact details and an interactive map.