Trifter

THE MetroCentre on the banks of the River Tyne, near Gateshead is the largest shopping and leisure complex in Europe. It was planned by Sir John Hall that it would contain everything under one massive roof. There is shopping, pubs, eateries, leisure and entertainment. This mix is known at the MetroCentre as shoppertainment.

With over 300 shops and 50 restaurants, customers no need to leave the MetroCentre. It also contains banks and travel agencies.

MetroCentre is on two floors and is so vast that it has had to be split into four sections. These are blue, green, red and yellow and each has its own free car park and mall entrance. There are also audio, large print and braille shop finders and guides.

Two Customer Service Centres are needed at this complex. These are both on the ground floor. One is in the Ton Square, next to House of Fraser in the Green Mall and the second stands next to the Odeon cinema in the Blue Mall.

Friendly a nd helpful staff offer customers all types of advice and can help solve many problems. They are able to offer guidance on opening times, where to eat ideas, public service information, car par parking advice, the free safe child wristband scheme, the shoppertainment programme and most importantly give directions around the vast expanse of the malls.

The customer service centres sell MetroCentre gift vouchers and operated the lost children, property and even grannies centre.

Both customers service centres can be contacted on 0191 493 0219.

MetroCentre has designated car parking spaces for holders of blue and orange badges in each of the four car parks and operates a free wheelchair and mobility scooter hire service. The youngsters can opt for the free MetroGnome cab and buggy service.

Shops range from major department stores to small specialist shops. There are the giants, including Marks and Spencers, House of Fraser and Argos.

Fashion and accessories can be obtained in a number of outlets, wherever men’s ladies’, children’s or mixed. Shoe shops abound throughout the malls. These range from low price outlets like Priceless Shoes through Clarkes and Dolcis to the specialists, such as Jones Bootmakers.

Shoppers can get pampered at the hair and beauty salons, such as Trade Secrets, Body Care, Super Cuts, Nail Express, the Perfume Shop and the Solarium Tanning Salon.

Later they can bedeck themselves with jewellery after visiting David Summerfield, H Samuel, Mayfair or Mulroy Antiques.

MetroCentre customers are spoilt for choice when it comes to electrical goods, musical communication and Information Technology merchandise. There is Dixon’s Music Zone, Silver Screen, HMV and Commuter Solutions among many others.

The sports and outdoor activity enthusiasts are well catered for with Sports world, Blacks, Millets, Dancesport and Equestrian.

MetroCentre houses a number of outlets offering toys, games and hobbies, including Disney Store, the Toy Factory, Easy Learning Centre, Metro Models and the Toy Professor.

Shoppers can visit a number of opticians to make sure that their eyes are still alright after seeing some of the prices.

There are a number of specialist shops, that include Bear Factory, Collectables, Parker Tools and the Whisky Shop.

Entertainment is provided by Magabowl, Odeon Cinema and the Metroland. Among other places there are a number of confectionary outlets.

Newspapers, magazines, books, cards and stationery are available at a number of outlets. Customers are able to book their holidays at one of the many travel agents.

The inner man (or woman) is catered for by the large number of cafes, restaurants and bars that are scattered throughout the malls.

MetroCentre has banks in every one of the four malls and Northumbria Police maintain a substation on the ground floor.

Street entertainment, wedding fayres and other events are held in the males.

MetroCentre is open from 10:00 to 21:00 on Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 to 19:00 on Saturdays and 11:00 to 17:00 on Sundays.  Many of the restaurants and bars remain open when the shopping centre is closed.

The centre has over 10,000 free car parking places and more than 100 buses from all over the North east arrive there each day. A train station is located just outside the area with a connecting bus link. S1 is a bus service that runs around the MetroCentre every six minutes.

MetroCentre is located at Dunston, three miles south west of Newcastle on the banks of the River Tyne.