Despite being a good size over two large floors and a store one could even get lost in, as well…read morepointed out in the only other review for this store by Ben C, the size of this store is dwarfed by my local House Of Fraser store located at Manchester Deansgate, but the store second closest to me in Altrincham is smaller and less modern than this store, the modern feature is really important for a store in the 21'st century, especially in a shopping mall where they are unlikely to be restricted in terms of planning by restricted buildings etc, as is the case here with this branch of House Of Fraser being located in Gateshead. For me, being able to locate a House of Fraser (HOF) in a mall is incredible but this shows the size of the mall is just huge, for those who didn't know the Metrocentre in Gateshead is the UK's largest shopping centre. The floor seemed a little bit uneven in the stores, there seemed to be a slightly steep slope and individual store for every individual store/brand in the department store. None of the staff seemed too welcoming and friendly - a big let down. The store guide and menu right at the front of the store, which some locations such as Manchester Deansgate and Altrincham do not have is good, and saves you walking around the store for example to see what the restaurant/cafe inside actually serve, and it also helps you find what you want in the store too. A slight struggle in deciding an overall rating as I could argue for either a two or three star rating, albeit the three star rating in this case would be slighlt generous, albeit it is quite a maverick move to actually include a HOF in the mall, I feel this unique and interesting twist gives this branch an edge to just step over the mark and deserve a three star rating.

Ugh, I always get lost in here! There is no set path to follow, and there will always be an…read moreinstance where you are on one side of the store and the thing you need is on the other side. There are lots of clothing concessions like Barbour, French Connection, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and more. The perfume department unfortunately doesn't have an end to it so if you hate being sprayed by the assistants, I advise you to enter through the upper mall or the car park and avoid the lower mall entrance at all costs. There is a pleasant looking restaurant on the first floor called Café Botanico which I will have to check out the next time I come down to Gateshead. Although it looked like the café didn't have their own toilets, so be prepared to walk to the other side of the store if you have to answer a call of nature. The stuff on the menu looks like traditional café fare like paninis, sandwiches and coffee. If you sit by the window, you get the view of angry drivers honking their horns at some of the lunatic drivers who come to the Metrocentre. I actually think this is quite amusing to look at because you will be relaxed in the centre and they will be stuck in their cars with rising anxiety levels and in the middle of bumper-to-bumper traffic jams. I do prefer Jenners and Frasers but this store isn't really that bad. It has just reopened after a facelift which has seen it gain lots more concessions and the aforementioned Café Botanico. All of the flooring has been replaced with birch planks instead of the old laminate. I also like the nice skylight that brings sun onto you when you go up the escalator.

Ladies clothes, children's clothes, shoes and accessories in this branch of a nationwide chain. The…read moreprices are higher than in other fashion shops in the shopping centre but they do have some very nice children's clothes. They tend to be of the traditional boy=blue, girl=pink designs but they usually have unisex clothing in yellow/beige/white as well. There's a good selection of accessories as well as a range of women's clothing. You don't tend to see many trendy young people in the store but a lot of the clothes are good classic pieces that are very suitable for work. Staff are pleasant and chatty.

A mid priced range of clothing comprising ladies and childrens wear. Most of the clothing is…read moretraditional wear as opposed to high fashion and is aimed at a more mature market. The quality of the clothes is good however and their childrenswear is lovely, especially the baby clothes of which they have a good range. The shop is easy to get around, even with a buggy and they have changing facilities.

Now that BHS is gone, TJ's is one of the only reminders of a High Street that didn't consist of…read moreH&M, Topshop, Zara and New Look. It is a bit of a dingy old place if I'm being honest, but they have some killer sales sometimes, which go down well with Newcastle as the shop is usually pretty busy when they have reductions. The ground floor has a small beauty department at the front with clothing and shoes towards the back. There is a small stretch of basement as well which has the bed department. I never find myself buying ANYTHING in here but it is always good to browse around if you are on Grainger Street. Upstairs, they have the homeware department which is extensive. I think it covers the entire first floor! The actual products are a bit dated but they are going cheap at really affordable prices. I think I saw a JML stand too, which I've only ever seen before in Woolworths and BHS! Very rare! If you go upstairs again, then you will be smack dab in the centre of the electrical department. I must admit, it is slightly chilly up there as they usually have all of the fans turned on full blast which is a bit unsettling. Up on this floor is the restaurant which looks fairly decent for what it is. It also boasts big windows with views over Grainger Town. But I have never eaten here so I do not know what the food is actually like. As the final remnant of the 20th century High Street, it does a great job and is worth a visit every once in a while. If you are a younger shopper the clothing is a bit lacklustre and is just rails and rails of granny and grandad clothes.

This is a department store that reminds me of being a child in the 70's. The store is a little…read moremessy and in places quite gloomy but there is usually a good range of goods, particularly branded cosmetics, and the prices are very good indeed. If you like named brands with affordable price tags then come to TJ Hughes, but if you love the big glitzy displays and designer price tags of Fenwicks and John Lewis then this place is most definitely not for you. The store is not in the main shopping areas of Northumberland St. or Eldon Square, but it is fairly central (5 minutes walk from Monument Metro Station). There are no lifts or restaurant, it's quite basic but a good place for a bargain. T J Hughes 86-92 Grainger Street NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Tyne And Wear NE1 5JQ Tel: 0191 222 0017

I was in the Northumberland Street branch recently, as I was visiting family in the North of…read moreEngland whilst I was back in the UK for a few weeks. I've visited the branch a few times over the years, and the majority of the staff have always been so lovely and incredibly helpful. However, during a recent conversation with a lovely and helpful staff member (we'll call them SM: A), another member of staff (we'll call them SM: B) randomly came briskly - almost marching - over to myself and SM: A, and proceeded to rudely interrupt our conversation, stopping it entirely, and THEN interject that SM: A needed to get back to work, implying therefore that they were not doing their job. Most times I have visited that particular branch over the years, SM: A has been present and I don't think I've ever seen them stop, much less slow down! Some other similar staff members, on the other hand, they seem as though if they slowed down any further they'd surely stop and proceed to go in reverse!

Caters for all ages. Up to date fashions as well as classics. Reasonable value for quality.read more

Fenwick is such a huge store! With an entrance on Northumberland street and one that opens onto The…read moreMonument as well as having other exits and entrances into different parts of intu Eldon Square...to say the least, I get very lost when I go in there. To confuse matters, there's also steps and stairs taking you here, there and everywhere! I much prefer Bentalls but I can say, Fenwicks does have a range of good name concession stands (which follow with the price tag), a make-up floor, some cute bits and pieces of stationary and randomly, some food joints which includes a sushi joint that kind of smells up the place. The layout is pretty confusing so I haven't ventured in too many times. There's wifi in here but you have to sign-up and it takes a while to be connected... The Christmas window this past year was pretty cool though (not sure if it was worth the queues or the aggressive shoving!) The building front from Northumberland street is a looker, if nothing else, Fenwicks can offer a visually pleasing building to admire.

I love Fenwicks! It's a fantastic department store with everything you could need under one roof…read moreand my personal go to place for a cosmetics and clothes fix! Whether it be perfumes,international foods from the food hall or homeware products Fenwicks has it all. There's a great choice of places to dine too including an American diner and Cafe 21 for those who literally like to shop until they drop. Plus what a bonus!! Every Christmas time they unveil their Christmas window (which changes each year) and flood Northumberland street with the cheery sound of Christmas music!

A large branch of this clothing chain which sells a lovely range of clothing for the younger end of…read morethe market. I would say that their range is aimed primarily at those in their 20s to 30s but the prices are quite high end. This branch is over two floors and has a full range from jeans to smart clothing. The clothes are of good quality and comprise some classic pieces such as smart trousers to more high fashion items. As for location, this store could not be in a better place. Located in the centre of town, right next to Eldon Square shopping centre, close to all public transport from buses to Metros, it could not be easier to get to. Because it is on two floors, it could be difficult for the less able to get access.

I really like dorothy perkins because they have lovely fashion items at high street prices. their…read moresales are super and but its best to hold off buying until the sale nears the end becuase they reduce things even more - like from 50% to 75% the last week of the sale. the petite department is also fabulous because you can get the fashionable pieces in shorter lenghth which is waht i really need. sometimes you get really ugly petite clothing but dorothy perkins is fab!

I love this store, the jeans are good for the price. I can get myself a pair of jeans for £12.50…read moreand they fit perfectly and that is a rare thing. The quality is good and so are the prices and that is all that I ask for in fashion. They also do a petite range.

I love this shop!! Just like primark it has some good quality clothing for an extremely good price!!read more