Westfields shopping centre

[fairyuk24]

Has anyone been to Westfield's shopping centre at Shepard's bush? Planning to go on Monday with a friend and it's my first time.

[Applespider]

Yes - I wasn't overwhelmed by it. The outside area with all the cafes and restaurants was OK although pretty much just chains.

The upmarket part with the high-end shops and the champagne bar looks impressive - the rest of it could be any shopping mall just on a bigger scale. I wasn't keen on the lack of light. I have a pal who lives nearby who loves it though - has joined the gym there, goes to the cinema and rarely goes into the West End now - to shop at least!

[louisiana]

Please no.

There are so many things that are actually worth going to.

But not Westfield.

We are giving more and more of our hard-earned money to the big chains, which are pretty much the only businesses able to afford those rents.

Why not go to a great gallery, such as the Whitechapel? (Aldgate: the 40 bus takes you right there) That Alice Neel painting of the twins is just fabulous. And then eat somewhere small and independent too.

[ruffers]

What's the shopping like at the Whitechapel?

[louisiana]

He he ruffers...

There is these days good shopping at the market at Spitalfields, which is only 5 mins walk from the Whitechapel. Hundreds of independent stallholders. However, I'm not sure what happens there on a BH Monday (the usual busy shopping days there are Th, F, Sat, Sun). Also quite a few trendy independent (and often not expensive) shops in the surrounding streets.

And my fave restaurant is just across the road from the market.

[pk]

i don't like shopping centres, but a probably like westfield better than any other

[ClareC]

Prefer Bluewater, doesn't take ages to get to and is free to park too!

[giggirl]

It has no soul. You could be anywhere. Didn't like.

[Jeremy]

Let's get real for a second... if you go to Westfield, you are NOT going there for soul, independent stalls, or to look at paintings. You're going there for high street/designer brands with convenient parking/transport. Nothing wrong with that, if that's what you want.

But if that's what you're after, I reckon the west end is better. The shops in Westfield are mainly quite small compared with the large Oxford St stores.

[PeckhamRose]

If you are into such things then go.

What I liked about it was there to my surprise quite a lot of independent shops, and also obviously big chains, but the food choice was better, and it's always fun to look in De Beers shop window.

What I did not like about it was it took me half an hour and two security guards to help me find where I had parked my motorcycle!

I'd go again!

[dulwichmum]

fairyuk

I ADORE Westfield! The parking is a bit steep, but go early and spend the day. It is the Temple of Doom for your credit card! You can find simply anything you want from a designer tote to a fab pair of designer heels - or the cheap as chips immitation pair. There are great places to eat and drink and also, you can pop to Waitrose to do your food shop before you head home.

Whats not to love?

[fairyuk24]

Oooh thanks Dulwich mum. Will have to check it out!

[wee quinnie]

Also, they have the only UK branch of INGLOT cosmetics which I am dying to visit.

[nwt]

I work just opposite Westfield (big tv studios in West London) and I have to say, Westfield is fabulous. It is what it is, a glossy shopping centre that has lots of shops ranging from Next to Miu Miu.

And agree with dulwichmum, make a day of it as plenty of places to eat.

[ruffers]

But what's the art like?

[PeckhamRose]

There's art. It's imaginative.

Seriously.

But you weren't expecting a serious answer, were you?

Oh, you were.

Well it's okay! It exists!

[dulwichmum]

Well?

Fairyuk24 what did you think?

Did you buy anything nice? Will you post some pics?

[northlondoner]

I work opposite Westfield and it's pretty handy for decent al fresco eats and drinks on a

summers evening. Ok there are chains but not your dreggy pizza huts etc. Think wahaca, buthchers block etc.