Advantages: OK Book
Disadvantages: Bit Boring in Parts

...get quite slow and is definetely not a book that really grips you. I am a massive Tom Clancy fan, but these books really did not inspire me to purchase them. Some of the people relations in the book are good and I think that this was my favourite of the first 4 OP CENTRE books for certain. I would recommend that if you have not read any OP CENTRE books yet and you want to try them out, then purchase the first OP CENTRE book and read them in order. As per usual, all of the books do follow on from each other, and if you miss a book or come in half way then you will not get the full benefit of what has happened before.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...This is one of my all time favourite shopping centres – it is beautifully laid out and the building its self has to be one of the nicest ones in Dublin which has been restored and converted into a really good use. This shopping centre offers you the customer a good range of shops – with something to suit all tastes from the young to the old. I personally think it is a great shopping spot for the tourist who is looking for a special gift to take home with them. There is a super range of shops which do hand crafted gifts.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good quality toys
Disadvantages: None

...The Early Learning Centre shops have a great selection of quality toys which are designed to last. The good thing about Early Learning Centre shops is that there is enough space to move freely and in the larger stores there are toys to sample eg ride-on toys. There is a catalogue for the toys which I have only managed to get once - probably because they go so quickly. The staff are normally very helpful, and the toys are arranged by age, and then by activity. It's very easy to see what the age range the toys are designed for - they are marked in large print on the packaging. I think these shops are particularly good for craft materials.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Something for everyone
Disadvantages:

...The Barbican is a major concert hall in the heart of London, home to the London Symphony Orchestra. It caters to all kinds of music, not only classical, though of course classical is at its fore front. The tickets prices are extremely reasonable, getting to see some of the most famous orchestras, soloists, and conductors for as little as £6.50. These cheaper seats offer an excellent view, unlike many other venues that offer "restricted" view seats for the same kind of price. The seating is both roomy and comfortable. The Barbican centre also offers a gallery and theatre, home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, cinema, as well as numerous eateries, book shops, and conservatory. The staff are pleasant and helpful, and the centre caters for disabled people also. I think the Barbican centre offers excellent value for money... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Many many stores under one roof.
Disadvantages: Can get very crowded and stressed.

.... There’s a pub, McDonalds, Burger King, ice cream stalls and a number of sandwich and coffee shops. In the new part of the centre there are also some stylish eateries but I cannot think for the life of me what they’re called! Parking at the centre can be stressful if you want to park close to the doors, so I recommend to park a little further away, but obviously still near the doors. Most parking is on a pay and display basis (20p for every 20 minutes you wish to stay) but if you park at the Food Court (a short walk away where Sainsbury, Waitrose and a number of specialist shops and restaurants are also located) or at the new Xscape Sports Village then here you can currently enjoy free parking. This is at your own risk though, I suspect you’re supposed to be actually visiting these places to use the free facility!! Alternatively if you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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 realised... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Everything you need under one roof, lots of parking(disabled spaces also)
Disadvantages: trying to decide which shops for you! :-)

...shop! (yum yum....) and a bakery shop. Located next to the bakery on the ground floor is a small circular ice rink which you may use although I am unsure of the cost of this. One of the good ideas is now parents can hire out push cars in which their child can sit in the car as they are pushed around the centre, I believe they cost a couple of pound per hour. Outside the centre there are also some other superstores such as PC World, B&Q Warehouse and I think its a Scottish Power store and just across the road from the PC World is a large Ikea store which has 2 floors and a creche should you wish to shop without your kids harrassing you!. Overall I would give the Shopping Centre 10/10 for its general handiness and also for its parking. I also heard rumours that Braehead is also set to expand sometime in the near future aswell as the Ikea... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great for gift + clothes shopping
Disadvantages: Can get EXTREMELY busy!

...in the evening to catch a film at the Warner Village Cinema there. The cinema is fairly large, with 8 screens (i think), and offers student discounts on tickets. The cinema area also contains an italian restaurant and a burger king, as well as the usual sweets and popcorn. Parking facilities in the centre are good, with two main car parks, consisting of 1300 bays altogether, including disabled parking bays. Also for disabled people, the shop has a shopmobility area, with easy access from the car park, for assistance with moving around the centre. Toilet facilities are also available, and disabled toilets are provided. Other facilities in the centre include an information desk, cashpoints, telephones, lifts, escalators, and a play area for children. Overall, I would consider the Grafton experience to be a very good shopping trip, although avoiding... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Loads of shops under one BIG roof. A great day out for the whole family.
Disadvantages: Can get VERY busy, so stay away if you get claustrophobic.

...at these times please allow extra time for your journey and for your actual walk round the centre itself. At 5PM every week day, the roads get absolutely jammed around the centre so it is a good idea to stay away at this time. If you are in the centre, stay there for at least another hour and if you are thinking of visiting then, I would think again a bit harder :-) All in all though, the Trafford Centre is well worth a visit. there are lots of good shops, some which can only otherwise be found in London.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Free, good range of exhibits, easy to get to
Disadvantages: none

...Founded by the millionaire John Paul Getty in 1953 on a small ranch in his home of Malibu has grown into a huge collection of museums and collections. The original museum displaying roman and greek works of art proved so popular that the Getty Centre in the Santa Monica mountains now occupies a site over a 100 acres in size. The Getty Centre took 14 years to build and a plaque in the entrance hall claims that it cost 1 billion dollars to complete! With the huge cost of maintaining and building the Getty Centre you would think that admission price would be high to reflect this. However, admission is free and the Getty Centre continues to uphold the wishes of John Paul Getty that art should be free to anyone to enjoy. The Getty Centre is situated in the Santa Monica mountains and you have one of the best views of LA from here... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful