SHOPPING IN METRO STYLE!

Advantages: see review
Disadvantages: see review

...I am not a huge fan of purpose built shopping centres but there are times when I really need retail fix! As I live within an hour?s drive of the Gateshead metro centre it is to this centre a head. The metro centre is the largest shopping centre in Europe with over 300 shops and 50 restaurants. I thought I would give you my thoughts and tips for getting the best out of a days shopping in this mammoth complex. Getting there. ************* I live about an hours drive to the north of the metro centre and usually travel by car. The metro centre is situated about 3 miles south west of Newcastle on the A1. From whatever direction you are traveling the centre is very well signposted. On arrival you shouldn?t have too much of a problem finding a parking space as there are 10.000 free spaces available. There are spaces reserved for drivers...

anwar 30.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Metro Centre

One of the first out of town shopping centres and still popular

Advantages: Indoors, warm, wide variety of shops
Disadvantages: A little dated after over 20 years

...for doing the Christmas shopping. The shops themselves are often quite small in the original complex, there are a few large signiture shops such as M&S and House of Fraser but many shops such as Oasis, Warehouse etc are understocked compared to their counterpart in Newcastle town centre. Recently the metro centre has expanded, the new arcade is much lighter and brighter, and boasts trendier shops....

Dinah93 22.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Metro Centre

Shopping with friends at the MetroCentre Gateshead

Advantages: Just the right amount of variety
Disadvantages: Hard to navigate (but a laugh when you get lost)

...MetroCentre was, I believe, the first out-of-town shopping centre in the UK and it is, in my opinion, the best. First of all, unlike Meadowhall or the White Rose, it is set quite a way out from Newcastle upon Tyne and so will not drag trade away from it as much as Meadowhall or the White Rose which are set right on the road into thier respective cities. Also, MetroCentre (owned by Capital Shopping Centres plc) takes quite a pride in the image of the centre and gives it character without trying to pretend that it is something it isn't. Let me explain, As MetroCentre was the first out-of-town shopping centre, it didn't really have much to go on in terms of past experience of others, i.e. they were the experiment, so to speak. I think that they built MetroCentre in terms of the in-town shopping centres á la Arndale and have now...

killip 11.09.2001 · Read review
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Review of Metro Centre

Would you like to meet the Metro Gnomes

Advantages: Good public transport links; shopping and leisure; good visitor facilities
Disadvantages: Crowds

...**OK, disclaimer - the Metrocentre is not in Newcastle, whatever category this appears in. Its actually in Gateshead, south of the Tyne, thank you very much!** As an adopted Geordie, I have been known to take part in that great north eastern pastime - a visit to the MetroCentre. (You must have heard of it - I'm sure it was mentioned on Byker Grove on a weekly basis). Up until a couple of years ago, this was the largest shopping and retail "city" in the UK, although it has now been surpassed by the Trafford Centre in Manchester and that new place in Essex (Blue Water?). It's still a very impressive shopping experience though, I can tell you. :-) The MetroCentre is located on an enormous retail park in Gateshead, about 3 miles south west of Newcastle upon Tyne, along with other major units (notably an ASDA hypermarket...

Collingwood21 11.09.2002 · Read review
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Review of Metro Centre

Do Enjoy Your Stay - We Did!!!

Advantages: Location, Facilities, Service
Disadvantages: Cost

...of baked goodies - buns and croissants. Quite a meal! Checkout was 12 so we got all of our stuff together after a nice shower and decided to spend the day at the Metro Centre which is literally just over the road. Check out was as speedy as check in! The car park is secure and you are given a code to enter on the gate to remove your car. All in all we had a fantastic time and I would love to do it again. However next time maybe we will make some time for the sauna!! :) It's a refreshing break but if you choose wisely it can work out at a resonable price... Bed and breakfast was £142 I believe for the one night - however you can opt for a themed room and the prices will vary....

dawnylou 20.02.2007 · Read review
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Review of Newcastle Marriott Hotel MetroCentre, Gateshead

Shop shop shop!

Advantages: All under one roof
Disadvantages: Very busy

...Metro Centre Metro Centre is my "corner shop" and as such, the place I tend to do most of my shopping. Opened more than 20 years ago, it is heralded as Europe's biggest shopping centre, and it does seem to be growing all of the time, with a new red area added a couple of years ago. WHERE IS IT? The Metro Centre is in Gateshead, 3 miles south of Newcastle upon Tyne, and is well signposted for anyone travelling on the A1. Actually, it's pretty hard to miss, because the shopping centre can be clearly seen from the motorway WHAT'S THERE? There are more than 300 shops in the Metro Centre, including Debenhams, House of Fraser and Marks and Spencer. The shops located in various malls, all in colour zones. Throughout the shopping centre, there are maps, showing visitors where they are, and with clear directions as to how to get...

danielalong 16.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of Metro Centre

Metro Film Review

Advantages: Action, Characters
Disadvantages: It's hardly groundbreaking

...I'll begin this film review by confessing two things: 1. I've never really been a fan of Eddie Murphy; and 2. At the time of writing this, I've never seen any of the Beverley Hills Cop films. If any of these things had been different prior to watching, I may have been disappointed with Metro like a majority of the other film critics. My third, and perhaps most surprising, confession, however, is that I actually enjoyed this film. It's a formulaic, but effective, buddy-cop comedy-action film. The action set pieces are well done and the central actors appear very confident in their character roles; Murphy, in particular, appears completely at east in front of the camera and is a joy to watch. Plot wise, Metro is hardly Shakespearian, but no one ever expects that from an action movie anyway. Murphy is Roper, a hostage negotiator...

andycarrington 18.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Metro (DVD)

Fancy a spot of retail therapy?

Advantages: Mostly under one roof so ideal for shopping in bad weather
Disadvantages: Mostly just chain stores so not the one-off shops you find in town

...At one point, the Metrocentre, located just west of Gateshead (and south of Newcastle upon Tyne, if that's more helpful) was the biggest out-of-town shopping centre in Europe. However, as the out-of-town shopping experience grew in popularity in Britain, it lost this distinction to Meadowhall, just outside Sheffield, though it has continued to grow apace since it was first opened in the late 1980s. The Metrocentre was the brainchild of wealthy, local businessman and property developer, Sir John Hall (also chairman of Newcastle United Football Club. It was built on reclaimed land close to the River Tyne which had been disused for some time following the decline of the river-based industries. The Metrocentre was able to firmly put itself on the map with the help of the large numbers of visitors to the National Garden Festival, held in...

fizzytom 23.02.2004 (24.02.2004) · Read review
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Review of Metro Centre

A Metro Moment

Advantages: Free, funny, free, great time killer and free!
Disadvantages: Made by the Daily Mail and dodgy Ink

...to read about your local footie teams latest match, although that’s not always a good thing in Sheffield United’s case! Also there is the “Metro Life” section which contains local gig guides, book, music, theatre and club reviews for you to read. There’s tonight’s telly listings in the centre pages, a letter’s page that seems to be populated by bonkers people, and a (very small) financial section. A bit of everything for everyone! If it’s free, isn’t it full of adverts? Admittedly there are a lot of adverts, although not that many more than your average tabloid. Being a experienced Internet user, I find I totally disregard the ads, and I never notice them, so I can’t really comment on the quality. The Metro does have local jobs and businesses advertised towards the back...

eca99ajm 10.05.2001 · Read review
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Review of Metro

Fun for all the family!

Advantages: All the shops are under one roof
Disadvantages: Gets really busy sometimes

...The Metro Centre is located 3 miles south west of Newcastle upon Tyne on the A1 road west of Gateshead. Fortunately for me I don't live very far away! I love shopping and I think the Metro Centre is great. All the shops under one roof! Not only is there is a huge range of shops but there are also leisure facilities such as: Metroland - an indoor theme park where there are quite a few different rides such as the rollercoaster, pirate ship and balloon Ferris Wheel. There is also a train to take you round the park. I used to love going to Metroland as a treat for my birthday. Unfortunately I grew out of it! Metroland is open seven days a week including Bank Holidays. Metroland has a website www.metroland.uk.com. An eleven screen UCI cinema and Megabowl (bowling and quasar laser - ww.megabowl.co.uk). There are also lots of places to...

bluejules 06.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Metro Centre