With the sterling still struggling and retailers slashing prices for summer bargains, Middle East fashion lovers can indulge in some exceptional value-retail therapy across Britain.
According to Carol Maddison, VisitBritain’s Marketing Manager, UAE, “the upcoming months is the best time to shop in Britain as the weak pound, coupled with the country’s renowned summer sales are a perfect bargain for Middle-East based fashionistas who travel to the country every summer to renew their wardrobes with the latest fashion trends”.
Among the lists of places to shop in Britain are:
London
Westfield London is the big new story from the capital’s shopping scene. This supermall in Shepherd’s Bush has no less than five department stores – including Marks and Spencer and House of Fraser – and 256 world-famous designer and main-street shops, from Apple to Zara. While you’re in the city, check out the world’s first National Geographic Store in Regent Street. As well as offering a stylish collection of clothing and accessories for travellers, the venerable society has created an outlet that doubles as a global cultural centre – part of its mission to inspire people to care about the planet. Meanwhile, Marc by Marc Jacobs, the eponymous designer’s first London outlet, has just opened its doors in Mayfair.
Don’t miss: classic British style in Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, Camden Market and Portobello; big-name shopping on and off Oxford Street, Regent Street and Kensington High Street; the trendsetting boutiques of Shoreditch; and vintage bargains in Brick Lane and Spitalfields.
Bristol
It’s party time in Bristol this year as Cabot Circus celebrates its first birthday. Find out for yourself why this £500m development has been delighting shoppers since it opened last year – not least, by bringing premier names such as Harvey Nichols to the city. At Broadmead and the Bristol Mall, the city’s retail heartbeat, discover the Brits favourite bargain clothes store, Primark, where its takes on the latest fashions are sold at knockdown prices – the company’s biggest shop in the country will open here this summer.
Don’t miss: Clifton and Christmas Steps for galleries, antiques and quirky boutiques; St Nicholas Market for curiosity shops amid the food stalls; Park Street for local crafts at The Bristol Guild; The Mall at Cribbs Causeway for main-street favourites and the city’s own fashion week in September.
Cardiff
The buzz on the streets of the Welsh capital is all about St David's2. This 21st-century enhancement of the already formidable St David's Shopping Centre is due to open later this year in the south of the city, with 100 new shops featuring national heavyweights such as John Lewis.
Don’t miss: big-name stores, independent boutiques and Welsh crafts in Queen Street and its elegant Victorian and Edwardian arcades, the Capitol Centre and Queen's Arcade; Mermaid Quay for stylish shopping on the waterfront of Cardiff Bay.
Birmingham
The transformation of this Midlands city means today’s visitors can enjoy the best contemporary shopping in an invigorating landscape that marries modern architecture with industrial heritage, hence the unusual nature of some of its venues. Take, for example, The Custard Factory. The famous English dessert sauce was invented here; now this pioneering spirit is interpreted in new ways by the resident arts and media community: tap into the exciting vibe at creative projects such as Urban Village, which has recently opened a new store here showcasing the very latest in vintage wear.
Don’t miss: The Mailbox, the former Royal Mail sorting office is now Birmingham’s answer to London’s Bond Street; the historic Jewellery Quarter for bespoke treasures from some of the country’s top craftspeople; the Bullring for shopping within extraordinary architecture such as the Selfridges building – encased in 15,000 spun aluminium discs, it’s hailed as one of the top stores to visit in the world.
Liverpool
Still shining from its year in the spotlight as European Capital of Culture 2008, this iconic north-west port is home to one of Europe’s biggest retail spaces, Liverpool One. The £1bn mall covers 42 acres of the city centre, linking Liverpool’s shopping streets with its historic docks, and contains 160 shops – it’s been so well received that the city has soared up the UK’s shopping charts from number 16 to fifth place. Look out for the largest Topshop outside London, due to open here this summer.
Don’t miss: Beatlemania in Cavern Walks; serious style at Metquarter; creative independents on Bold Street and Hardman Street.
Leeds
Leeds’ reputation as the trendsetting city of the north continues apace, witnessed by the stylish new openings on its shopping streets. Paper Scissor Stone, on New York Street, offers art, furniture and designer clothes with the emphasis on home-grown talent. Funky fashion and jewellery brand Folli Follie will open its first store outside the London area in June in The Victoria Quarter. And for high-quality ethical clothing try The Third Estate, at 102 Merrion Centre.
Don’t miss: fashionable wares from familiar names and unique boutiques at The Light; independent shopping in Thorntons Arcade ; urban lifestyle brands at Clarence Dock.
NewcastleGateshead
This north-east city (www.newcastlegateshead.com) is famed for top-quality shopping, especially for big-brand names. But discover its creative side, too, at the Waygood Art Boutique, a recent addition to the gallery of the same name, which sells contemporary art and sculpture. Watch this art space, its historic shopfront and warehouse premises are being redeveloped to create a major new venue for making and engaging with contemporary art.
Don’t miss: Northumberland Street and Monument Mall, Eldon Square, Eldon Garden and the MetroCentre Gateshead for international brands; cutting-edge directional wear on Princess Square at Cruise; arts and crafts in Quayside Market and Armstrong Bridge Arts Market.
Edinburgh
Kilt-maker to the stars, Howie R Nicholsby has made the traditional Scottish garment for Robbie Williams, Samuel L Jackson and many others. Now you can pick one up for yourself at his new shop in Thistle Street, 21st Century Kilts, where traditional versions are complemented by more modern designs in leather, denim and camouflage. And watch out for a new branch of stylish fashion store Urban Outfitters, coming to Edinburgh soon.
Don’t miss: international brands on Princes Street and George Street and serious style on Multrees Walk; quirky independents and boho boutiques in New Town and West End; Scottish crafts on the Royal Mile and in the Grassmarket. www.edinburgh.org/shopping |