Yes, we succumed to the temptations of Europe’s largest inner city shopping centre by heading to Westfield at White City yesterday. But I assure you that our intentions were pure – we were trying to finish all our Christmas shopping in one day, and after scouring Oxford street and Regent street all morning, we were still coming up short. So, we sucked it up and headed out to Shey-bu with the one million or so other Londoners that were doing the same thing.
And, I have to say, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. If you could go there, say, on a weekday morning when all good boys and girls are at work, it would actually be a great place to shop. They have literally everything there, from M&S to Prada, and pretty much everything in between, including The Apple Store, Oakley, House of Fraser, Nike, The Gap, and plenty more. Actually it was ironic looking at the things that we’d bought from all the stores in the city, and then seeing them all there in the same complex.
Still, for all that praise there was definitely one major downside: the crowds. Oh my goodness, there were people everywhere, and all in that fairly uncontrollable frenzy that seems to descend on people when they’re in a crowded indoor space. Why people suddenly forget how to walk in straight lines, or even just watch where they’re going is beyond me!
Anyway, I think if you had a whole lot of stuff you needed from a variety of stores, it’s a great place to go shopping, but for the most part, I’ll be sticking to the high roads.
5 comments
I really miss “mall” shopping. The high streets can never solve all of your problems in one trip. Last year I had to resort to Amazon for a one-stop solution, but that ruins the Christmas Shopping joy. (No carrols on Amazon)
Thanks for the White City review! I know we’re meant to be getting into the British culture while we’re over here, but I’m with Shelley, I miss the malls as well. I hate high street shopping in winter, looking through shops with your coat still on, trying to juggle your scarf, hat and gloves that you remove as you heat up. Bring on the climate-controlled comfort of a mall, where the coat etc can be packed away for a few hours.
Wow! It finally opened. Would have been good to go along and have a look-see after seeing it in construction for the last 3 years.
Whoa… I bet you could spend more than 24 hours in there and still not see everything!
The question is…
Did it have a Mr Donut?
Walks in malls must include a milkshake and a doughnut!