The West One is a nice retail park in the Salford/Eccles area, I'm going to share the embarrassing…read moremoment that I actually came here by mistake, through making a left turn which I should have made 150 yards or so later according to my sat nav, I was quite impressed at the retail park as it was quite nice, even having a WHsmith to its-name, which seem to be in every shopping mall, every station, every airport, every town centre but still they seem to shy away from retail parks from some bizarre reasoning. It is located just off Junction 2 of the M602 motorway and is quite close to Trafford Park and Old Trafford and even the Lowry Outlet mall, all around one or two miles away. There are a few big names here such as Home Bargains, WHSMITH, Subway and The Carphone Warehouse, still the retail park is only small compared to others, it still is quite decent, quite satisfactory however nothing more than that, I'm sorry to report. It is also a shame this retail park doesn't seem to be making a name for its-self to make it more of a place to visit, through not having a website, there are numerous fast food chains here, as I recall there is both a Subway and a Mcdonald's, two of the largest fast food chains in the world which seem to always not be far from each other, where you can often find them in the same complex. There is also quite a large "Range" store here but that's about it really. The location of this retail park is interesting, with so much around it so it probably isn't the best place to go and shop but still it is quite nice and I do feel it has done enough to earn at least a high two star rating.

West one is the retail park in Salford. On this retail park there are some fest food restaurants…read moresuch as McDonald's subway. There is plenty of parking. There are still a few units empty.

Regent Retail Park is a decent no thrills retail park, the retailers here are mainly focused on…read moreessentials, a large Sainsbury's superstore for essentials, and a JD Sports for sportswear, which also includes a gym. Other outlets here include Costa for a coffee, Boots for a chemist/pharmacy, a couple of discount stores, pound shops and a pet store. It is classed as part of Salford, but it is a short walk from the western edge of Manchester city centre, just head straight down Liverpool Road from the Hilton at Beetham Tower. It's fairly easy to follow and find the stores you need here, but for a smaller retail park, this has to be expected. There isn't anything in terms of food options outside the supermarket, but KFC and McDonald's are across the way. It is easy to access as a pedestrian, and for cars, there is a large car park centred around Sainsbury's. 3*

Not exactly a lot I can write about a retail park. It is what it is, a place of convinience with…read morestores you can use for essentials. Although I still avoid one of the stores like the plague, choosing to travel 4 miles to my nearest equivalent, I do use nearly all the other stores several times a week. With Sainsbury's, Boots, Argos, Home Bargains, Sports Direct you pretty much have everything you will ever need in these stores, not to mention the others. So its a good location and a decent selection of stores. My only downside is the layout, featuring two four way roundabouts in quick succession, it can become rather chaotic at times, especially with idiots and the speeds they drive. But all in all its a good place.

Manchester Fort is a large retail shopping park, just under a mile away from Manchester city…read morecentre. It does seem a little strange having a retail park so close to the city centre, where other areas of Greater Manchester are left behind but the selection of places to shop is fine, while the selection of eateries could be much improved, due to a lack of restaurants that aren't just fast food. There's a good number of coffee shops here, including Costa, Dunkin and Starbucks, the latter two have opened within the past 18 months or so, so are fairly new additions. Places to eat include KFC, Pizza Hut, Nando's and Subway. There is also a McDonald's right next to the Fort with a drive-thru (The Fort claim this to be part of the shopping park on their website) The selection of stores is okay and includes TK Maxx, Superdrug, Sports Direct, Boots, and Argos. There are also a couple of phone shops, nothing too exciting, but a decent number of stores that could save you a trip into the city centre. A couple of stores have closed recently, but with the aftermath of COVID and the fact the city centre (where many of these brands have stores, many of which are larger) is so close, this has to be expected. It is pretty easy to follow the layout, there are a couple of benches around the shopping park and some shelter to help stay dry if there's a light drizzle. Plenty of parking, meaning you shouldn't struggle to get a space somewhere. I do think the pedestrianisation could be improved for other retail parks, given the fact there are three main areas, which may mean crossing a road or going through the car park, if you're at one end of the Fort, you may have to use your car to get to adjacent McDonald's or Currys across the way. 3*

I have visited Manchester Fort regularly over the years, but I have been far more impressed during…read moremy latest visits over the past weeks, which is due to the discovery that the Shopping Park now has a Nike Outlet Store and a H&M. Since when? Fantastic! Although the H&M was smaller to what one would find in Manchester City Centre, it still has a good range of stock and very well organised, full of stylish shoppers. The Nike Outlet is, once again, smaller to what one would find in other Outlet Malls, but the range of stock, sale items, and discounts are very impressive. Personally I am seeking some new trainers for the gym, and found a great selection at bargain prices. The staff in the store are welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. They certainly have that US Customer Service mindset, which I welcome wholeheartedly. I can see myself becoming a regular here, especially when the Summer of Fitness is upon us. The Shopping Park also boasts a TK Maxx, which I am a big fan of, and I have often found that they have a good range of stock, and I have purchased some excellent items here from clothes to home decorations. The store seems to have had a recent refurbishment to extend the first floor space, which opens out the whole store. As well as, fashion and clothing, one can find a variety of stores at this Shopping Park, and not just clothing and outlets. Manchester Fort has: Halfords Store, for all car, cycle, and motorcycle accessories; B&Q, for all home and garden DIY needs; a technologically modernised Argos, full of tablet-ordering-system and a varied system that the normal Argos shopping experience. Other stores include: Clarks, Mamas&Papas, Boots, Superdrug, M&S Food, Card Factory, Game, Maplin, Sports Direct, Specsavers, Thomas Cook, Shoe Zone, Mothercare, Thomson Holidays, Trespass, and Pound World (you can never go wrong when you have a pound shop to hand. Big fan!) For food, one can visit one of Manchester's many Nando's and KFC establishments here. I love Nando's but I haven't yet visited the one here in the Shopping Park. I think I should, don't you?

Think Las Vegas bling with a mix of mall and food court galore. Beautiful mall with tall marble…read morecolumns all over and tropical plants. Very good amount of decent restaurants and stores.

do not buy trafford centre gift card!!!!! 12 months expiry,…read more terrible customer service, i misplaced my voucher and couldn't find it for few months, once i found and i tried to use, i was told is expired. emailed them and they just told me is expired and conveniently kept my credit and blocked my email. extremely unhappy with that. my advice do not buy. mrs ahmed

My wife and I visited Salford quays outlet shopping centre yesterday 1st December 2023…read more We haven't been there since last year and we were shocked to find how poor the outlet has become Nearly all of the upstairs shops had gone! It was like a ghost town. It was also very cold (no heating) probably couldn't afford to put any on ! We won't be visiting again as they are still charging for parking which seems stupid when it's in such a decline. Something needs to be done quickley or I can see it closing down.

The Lowry Outlet is just ok its nothing that special apart from a couple of decent stores like the…read moreGAP outlet and a few others, but it's only really kept open by the Vue Cinemas and the very busy Costa Coffee, There is also a couple of chain restaurants which include Harvester, Pizza Express, Cafe Rouge, Lime Bar and the recently opened Nandos. It does have a lot of potential if it had the right stores in there. Its ok for a browse through if youre around the area or in Media City UK though. Its also very easy to get to from the City Centre with a direct tram heading straight towards to Media City UK.

'Wow, a parade full of chocolatey coffee? Where do I sign?'…read more One slippery, sleet-ridden walk later... 'Er, sir, sorry, I'm here now and I don't see any chocolatey coffee. Or parades. In fact I feel like I'm in Soviet Russia, which I know is a comparison I've used a lot this week and really should stop. And I'm fearing for my life. Everywhere is cold, dank, and desolate.' Kid, you ain't in Kansas anymore, this is Broughton. And you're in Mocha Parade, 'mock' being the operative word here as you will feel like you've been the victim of a cruel prank. I was in a queue of very slurry and wobbly people in the Post Office, the outside of which made me unsure as to whether it was open, in use even, or had been abandoned following a nuclear fallout. As it happened it was in fact fully functional, but the clientele weren't pleasant and the member of staff behind the bullet proof glass looked terrified. Still, I got the job done. I actually took the time to wander around during this visit. I'd only been here once before to grab a prescription from one of the three chemists (yes, three chemists... what on earth does that imply) that reside within this blue gated monolith of 1960s architectural horror. But despite my reservations... ensure you're not drinking a beverage right now because you'll spit it all over your computer screen... Mocha Parade is actually an okay place to shop. The fruit and vegetable shop is worth the trip alone. I'd got the tip from a friend of mine who said she'd returned from there with two huge bags of goodies for a mere £2. It's true, when I popped my head round I did indeed find one of those elusive independent outlets which sells decent local produce. I'm definitely going to brave the eeriness of this shopping area to grab all my soup-making ingredients from that bad boy. And with a mass of cheap shops just round the corner, well, for the money you save it's worth feeling slightly uncomfortable. Broughton may not be pretty, but it's one of those small city areas that has a lot of hidden gems. Once you look past the grimy veneer, Mocha Parade is just fine and dandy. Quick, in and out before you start feeling depressed. Everyone's a winner.

Over priced £1 for pva glue what on earth caused such money…read moregreed not to mention is maze like structure and the so called reusable bags that I'm sure are recycled condoms

Had my first experience with these folks at a Friday Night affair at Manchester Arndale It has…read morealways bugged me that wineries don't have food available to go with their wines. Well, Arndale sure fixed that by having these folks come of their first Friday Night food and wine soiree. The pizza choices were about a half dozen. Prices are very reasonable for a 10" pizza ($10-$13) which was just right for two of us. We had the Meat and 'Shroom. Very tasty, not overwhelmed by red sauce and fresh mushrooms. Baked just right with crusty edges, but not too thin crust. I'd say medium crust, but still foldable to eat by hand. The pepperoni pizza looked like a winner too. Their wagon is clean and modern and opens up so you can see the wood fired stone oven and them making the pies. Very fast service too. We hope to be able to see them again.

Unlike Angela, I have bought many a times from here and am surprised that I'm only the second…read moreperson to review, Picture this: you're on a night out, you've spent ages getting ready and you walk into the bar only to find some horror of a girl was thinking the same dress. Ruined. That's what you can guarantee will not happen with a purchase on the Saturday fashion market. Independent designers rework old pieces, create new pieces and voila, you get a truly unique handcrafted work of a one-off. Lying off Market Street inbetween Debenhams and Starbucks, stalls line up the trail to Tib Street where creativity appropriately merges with The Northern Quarter. There's a range of fashion items, purses, jewellery and other funky accessories you can feast your eyes on. I've bought a few gifts as well as a few dresses for the special occasion. Prices are very reasonable for what you're getting, a truly unique piece in support of the local talent. The people on the stalls are especially friendly too. I've bought two dresses which haven't fitted so perfectly but an altering service was offered to me! You have to wait a week though but on these occasions it was worth it as I'd fallen in love with the dress. So I encourage you to give it a go, abandon Topshop and Urban Outfitters and even the various NQ boutiques in support of the local designers.

Manchester Fashion Market is a Saturday staple in the town centre that is worth a visit. Stalls…read morehere are held by up and coming designers and artisan crafters selling everything from clothes, lingerie, gifts, cards, candles. bags, purses, hats and jewellery. I like the fact that you can pick something original up here from an independent designer at a good price, without the middle man, although I have to be honest, as much as I like looking around and I can appreciate the work that has gone into some of the items on offer here, I've never found anything that I'd want to buy myself!

Haber's World is an amazing Kosher supermarket on King's Road in Sedgley Park. It keeps the area's…read moremany Jewish residents in stock with 'provisions' as it calls its groceries. Quick note before I begin - its closed on Saturdays obviously because this is the Jewish day of rest. But in the week, this is a fabulous alternative to Tesco et al. It has just been newly refurbished but I have always liked this retro looking building anyway, I remember when it used to be a really popular deli - back when I went to primary school on this road. Nowadays, people shop here for bagels, wine, whiskey, general household goods - and the prices are generally not too pricey as you might expect.

Nice people and the only place I have found that sells real peanut butter and not palm oil! Open…read more'til ten on Thursdays too. Check the closing times each Friday as they close a few hours before Shabbat. They also sell sushi!

As if Barton Arcade is a Grade II Listed Building!…read more I'm not suprised, it is a gorgeous little shopping arcade but it's just such a waste! There's nothing there! I popped in the other day as it was raining and it's a good short cut from Deansgate to St Ann's Square. I was shocked by just how bare it was. Literally about four shops and a bar (watch this space for the review). Edwards, of course, is an institution in Manchester so I'm glad that's still around. Where has everyone else gone?! I seriously hope that some more tenants are found soon because it's such a shame to let such a gorgeous place die off. Maybe a cafe would liven it up a bit?

Barton Arcade is a truly beautiful old shopping arcade just off St. Anne's Square. It has all its…read moreold fittings and is full of light thanks to its awesome glass roof. There are several layers of balconies above the lower level that have office space running off them. It really is delightful in here. The only that les Barton Arcade down is the quality of the businesses in here. It feels like it should be an exciting, exclusive arcade but to be honest that stuff is all over on King Street and Market Street and there are a few empty units in here. I'm sure one day Barton Arcade will become cool again, but at the moment it's pretty quiet and doesn't exactly represent the centre of Manchester's shopping experience.