please empty your brain below
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Retail scrum is the right word. It was horrendous and not helped by allowing trapeze artists to dangle on bits of cloth in a mini atrium. This brought the flow of people to almost a grinding halt. It was "not nice" trying to keep moving with mums determined to ram their buggies over people's feet and into the backs of their legs. It was not far off being an accident waiting to happen and it was very badly planned and not at all controlled. When I remarked on this to a security guard I simply got a curt "yes sir" by way of response. Doing something might have been more helpful.
While it is nice to have Waitrose, John Lewis and M&S in close proximity the Waitrose had a worse range than the branch at South Woodford which I regularly use. That was a surprise. I couldn't face doing extensive research in M&S but got a few bits in the food department. Nice Japanese food store tucked away by Waitrose though!
Your observation on the make up of the crowds is spot-on. That was one thing that I really did notice when walking through the place - a really interesting mix of people and ages.
I did note that the assistants in some of the higher end shops looked distinctly under-employed and I really did wonder if those branches will ever make any money. The branches of the chains / big brands will pull in the money and if people from outside of East London turn up regularly there may well be enough trade to sustain the place. Still it is just another glitzy shopping centre that emulates the biggest and brightest from Asia - seen one, seen them all!
PC | 14.09.11 - 1:38 a.m. | #
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The architecture in Westfield centres is so bland and unpleasant; I suspect in twenty years time they'll be talked about in the same tone that we currently talk about Arndale centres.
I wonder how many of these high-end stores will still be around once the Olympics are over.
Scott | Homepage | 14.09.11 - 5:59 a.m. | #
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I live near the trafford centre, and when that was sparkly and new it was absolutely rammed, I used to go maybe once a month or so. Now, what must be almost 15 years on, I find myself going maybe three times a year, and one of those is usually to be able to do most of my Christmas shopping in one go - my record is 27 minutes, but I was very well planned that year, and managed to turn up when it was quiet. I don't go as often now partially because it is still so busy - between October and February (Xmas then sales) it is often just a deeply unpleasant experience.
When it opened, it had an area with little independent stores, and everyone was on a 15 year lease. After 5 years, the area with the independents all had their rents massively increased, and most of them packed up and moved to Manchester. This was all done so that a john Lewis could open. Around the same time, Manchester city centre pulled its socks up and sorted out the arndale centre. And now, even though there are chuggers, and you're exposed to the rain and you have to pay to park, you're much more likely to find me in Manchester of a weekend. So if your local stores can hang on in there, they may well be ok. I certainly hope so. :)
anne | 14.09.11 - 7:53 a.m. | #
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Westfield's (all of them, even in Australia) architecture is bland in the extreme, but people are being unfair. It's *not* unpleasant. That's what makes it different to pretty much all the other shopping centres in Britain. And it's why it won't just be another E&C or Arndale in 25 years.
Shopping as a whole is unpleasant, but the Westfields make it less unpleasant than Oxford St. or Brent Cross. That's why it's a success.
Chz | 14.09.11 - 8:56 a.m. | #
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All that careful clustering of shops will go to pot within, probably, six months as retailers change. Certainly did at Shepherds Bush
Food court at Shepherds Bush is perhaps the best (only?) good thing about it. Shame to see therefore that Stratford's got a Subway and a Spudulike. But then maybe West London's plethora of BBC staff and shoppers from the likes of Ealing and Notting Hill Gate mean that the food court offerings there makes sense.
Andrew Bowden | Homepage | 14.09.11 - 8:59 a.m. | #
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The Rusty Bridge will allow people to get completely frozen or soaked according to the Christmas weather, assuming they can get up all the steps (don't even try to wait for one of the two lifts, full of pushchairs), so why no escalators? That's the major difference between this centre and many in the Far East, where there are escalators everywhere and all walkways tend to be under reasonable cover. If you come by train or Central Line, make for the eastern tunnel. If you didn't come by car or train but have a Travelcard of some kind, then you can avoid the Rusty Bridge: go into Stratford Station by the bus terminus, through the barriers, tunnel under the rails and out through the barriers again to pop out next to Marks and Sparks - under cover all the way. Anyone without a Travelcard shall get soaked or freeze to death on Rusty Bridge. Plenty of young locals chatting to friends who are assistants - 'just checkin it aht, innit' and when Foyles opens I'll check again, but not in a weekend. JL's snackery is bigger, better and emptier than the one at M&S, and has a bit of a view. Couldn't find any sign to the DLR at International (it's not shown on Westfield's own map either). You have to get to the lowest level opposite Waitrose then go right through International station foyer (where at last there's one temporary-looking DLR sign) and out again, so you get wet twice in the rain. Why can't they cover the bits in between? On the way you can play with the ticket machine to laugh at the fares... Maidstone return £58.80 hahahahaha. The whole Centre is as devitalizing as any other shopping centre. Is that a helter-skelter around the Red Cage by the Stadium? Hope so.
HerbOfRomford | 14.09.11 - 9:35 a.m. | #
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The one thing I enjoyed last night as I rode by on my bike, was the thick police presence, especially at the suicide alley of the pedestrian crossing. Very useful that, hope it is a permanent feature. (I can dream)
Ham | Homepage | 14.09.11 - 9:36 a.m. | #
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A trip when it's not a crush of inquisitive people is what's in order. What's for sure is that there are shops here which aren't in the Shepherds Bush one, and there are shops in Shepherds Bush one that won't work here.
geofftech | Homepage | 14.09.11 - 9:48 a.m. | #
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Maybe like other people who read this site shopping centres are just alien to me.
Of course I wouldn’t expect any actual interesting shops, no second hand book shops or junk shops, but other than that – is there anything that might be of any interest? Looking at the web site, there’s no Blackwells or Books etc, though there is an as-yet-unopened Foyles… there’s an HMV, although unless it’s vastly better than the one in Oxford street, I’d consider it pointless. (I haven’t bought anything in HMV on Oxford Street for years; either they don’t have what I want (usual) or charge far far too much. They could replace it with a big sign that said “just go to Amazon or Ebay”.)
Stratford already has a Maplin which doesn’t seem to have moved. I suspect my wife could spend hours there, but if she can’t leave to me browse in Forbidden Planet or Model zone (no evidence of either) it looks like a vision of hell…
Amusingly as I type this itunes (can’t work without background) randomly stared playing “Anarchy in the UK “Your future dream is a shopping scheme...”
Andrew Bolton | 14.09.11 - 10:49 a.m. | #
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Really glad to be alerted by your readers to the proposed arrival of Foyles. That means two good bookshops in Newham although I have to admit that when I go to Newham Books I always feel guilty if I don't make a purchase whereas I'll be free to browse at Foyles.
You're all much braver than I, going on the first day. As I have problems walking (I was knocked over by a car in Stratford six months ago) I'm deferring the shopping opportunities until things quieten down. It was very funny collecting my daughter from school in the afternoon though - loads of parents with carrier bags and complimentary balloons. As most of the parents will be on very low (or no) incomes they were mostly Primark but everyone seemed very excited. For myself its the knitting wool department in John Lewis that will be the big draw. How middle aged!
pbmum | 14.09.11 - 10:58 a.m. | #
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There was a section on Channel 4's recent The Secret Life of Buildings where they took a wander through Westfield (White City) showing how the the bright and airy ceilings and multiple points of light were designed to distract your eye and make them land on something else. Other shops, say. Their architecture might be samey, but they know what they're doing.
martin | Homepage | 14.09.11 - 11:05 a.m. | #
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Looking at some of these post, I get the idea that the only type of except-able shop would have a thatched roof and use pre-decimal coins.
I lived through the 1950's, and life was bleak and grey and quite frankly sh*t.
Michael | 14.09.11 - 11:11 a.m. | #
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Michael you are quite right. I would not wish to go back (despite what is said about us 'lucky' baby-boomers - huh) but the Westfield shops are the same as in other Centres, and such Centres exclude all interesting small shops, always. Second-hand bookshops? How laughable to dream that such a shop might appear in Westfield. Stratford High Street once had a second-hand bookstall where I bought one of Una Stubbs' cast-off books, but such gems are long gone even from down the road. Quite likely life will again be bleak before we are out of this greed-induced debt trough and eventually the Westfield Centre might be forced to open cheaper, ordinary shops. A small hardware shop selling proper saucepans would be useful. Timothy White's.
HerbOfRomford | 14.09.11 - 11:28 a.m. | #
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DG - Thanks for the article, thought you'd be treating us to your own unique mall review after seeing your tweets yesterday.
Incidently, you really arent as strange in your shopping habits as you think (this is bourne out by the other comments too).
My tuppence FWIW - Whilst I will no doubt head to Westfield this weekend (for the novelty) and then probably periodically thereafter, like you I certainly don't derive huge pleasure from shopping per se.
It's not even that I've got anything against malls as such (indeed I visit a Westfield Mall regularly when I visit family in the USA) just that in my normal day to day existence I really don't have the inclination (or disposable income these days) to become a "mall rat".
Happy shopping for those who like that sort of thang...
CF
PS - entering Greg Tingy mode It would also be easier to visit WField if public transport links from Waltham Forest were better - My mother-in-Law in islington can get there far quicker than us!
ChingfordFlaneur | 14.09.11 - 12:17 p.m. | #
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I *hate* shopping, so I certainly don't choose to spend any more time than I have to in shopping centres. Get what I want and get out as quickly as possible is what I always do. I've certainly no plans to visit!
Jon Combe | 14.09.11 - 1:53 p.m. | #
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Doesn't the 'Westfield' logo look dated?
Blue Witch | Homepage | 14.09.11 - 2:08 p.m. | #
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The Daily Mail quoted one of your Twitter posts, by the way.
James | 14.09.11 - 3:07 p.m. | #
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Yesterday Westfield opened, today the shoplifters will have moved in.
mclm | 14.09.11 - 3:12 p.m. | #
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I find that a visit to my local mall always leaves me feeling like my soul has been drained of spirit. I just don't understand how the majority of the populace seems to thrive on things that are revolting.
Where's the joy in piles of giant stuffed teddy bears piled up to the ceiling? Fashions that look like they were designed by lunatic inmates? Fancy a nylon purple shirt with a realistic painting of horses running through the surf on your sleeve?
I just don't get it...
:0)
jon | Homepage | 14.09.11 - 6:10 p.m. | #
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You and me both Jon!
You were brave going back at 6pm DG!! Above and beyond the call of duty that was!
CornishCockney | 14.09.11 - 7:13 p.m. | #
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Shopping malls are easy targets to look down on, yet, I suspect, this view is not representative of the majority who are already going in vast numbers. Just look at the general internet chatter about Tescos - always hated on the web - but my local superstore is rammed with people whenever I venture there.
Nicks | 14.09.11 - 8:35 p.m. | #
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One of these days I dare say I will pop in (maybe to have a look from the John Lewis 'lookout').
I occasionally pop into Westfield White City (which is quite near work), and find it quite a pleasant experience, even though I walk past most of the shops. It makes older centres like Brent Cross look very cramped and dowdy. It also is superbly served by public transport
Mikey C | 14.09.11 - 11:21 p.m. | #
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@HerbOfRomford: Erm, there's a perfectly good set of escalators up the rusty bridge right next to the staircase. Did you miss them?
People can call it the "largest shopping centre in Europe" all they like, but the one thing which struck me when I went there (should've gone at 8am like DG, it was rammed) was how tiny it was. There are precisely two walkways, one indoors (and triple-decker) and one outdoors. There's also a little knobbly bit sticking out of the indoors one halfway along which they called your "one-stop lifestyle shop" or some such bollocks (it mostly seemed to be restaurants). That's it. The shops themselves may be big (I didn't go in any of them, except John Lewis when I was trying to find my way off the second floor), but there's surprisingly few of them. I think White City is almost twice as big.
Possibly all these millions of square feet are being magicked out of thin air by building upwards rather than outwards, as evidenced by there being three levels of one walkway (and John Lewis is almost certainly higher, because like I said I entered at the second floor and I never caught a whiff of a LOCOG shop), but in at least two dimensions, the site is very compact indeed. I certainly didn't have DG's problem of finding it impossible to retrace my steps - on the contrary, I soon lapsed into my perennial problem of trudging round and round in circles over the same small set of pathways and being certain there must be more to it than that, but completely unable to spot the turn-off I missed!
DG, your shopping habits are in no way unusual. Spending for pleasure? Whose pleasure? "Sir" Philip Green's?
swirlythingy | Homepage | 15.09.11 - 12:11 a.m. | #
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Ah, Swirlythingy, thank you, I did miss the Rusty Bridge escalator - but it's still 'outside'. Is it just me, or is it sad that a huge shopping centre should want its pedestrian visitors to arrive frozen, soaked or blasted? Or are most shoppers so fixated on the retail euphoria to come at the far end of the bridge that they are oblivious to the raging atmosphere along its length? The north-facing shopping canyons appear to be a daunting prospect. I need only ever walk from a mainline platform via the tunnel to Foyles, so no climatic problem for me.
HerbOfRomford | 15.09.11 - 3:03 p.m. | #
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CNN covered the opening of Europe's largest retail centre opening yesterday on TV and the internet. Your report was superior.
kabinga | 15.09.11 - 3:21 p.m. | #
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I live 10 minutes from Australia's largest urban Westfield. As Chz says, it ain't all that, but unlike most shopping centres, it isn't a vile place to go. Airy, high-ceilinged, unoppressive. This concept is a novelty Westfield have invented. I used to go there quite often and actually go to the shops when I first moved here; now I mostly go to the supermarket and out again, unless I actually need a new pair of trousers.
john b | Homepage | 15.09.11 - 3:32 p.m. | #
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For anyone who knows, how does it compare to Liverpool One or Bristol Cabot Circus which are both shopping centres from the past couple of years.
Both of those are excellent (and very large) spaces, and a pleasure to use, and merge with existing high streets very well, and much of them are open air on streets.
James | 16.09.11 - 6:31 p.m. | #
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