Member Article

intu Metrocentre opens from 9 am

The region’s biggest shopping centre is set to open one hour earlier from Monday 4 September.

intu Metrocentre is Europe’s largest covered shopping and leisure destination, attracting visitors from across the north east and much further afield.

The shopping centre, which has been an integral part of north east life since October 1986, has traditionally opened doors for trading at 10 am, but following a vote by the Tenants’ Association, the decision was reached for a new, permanent 9am opening time.

Steve Clarke, general manager at House of Fraser and chair of the Tenants’ Association, said:

“Many retailers in centre have been aware of shoppers on the mall from 9 am; lots of mums or dads who had done the school run and then popped immediately into the shopping centre were simply waiting for shops to open. By opening an hour earlier this will certainly help our early shoppers and encourage customers to take advantage of that extra hour in the morning.”

Gavin Prior, general manager at intu Metrocentre, added:

“intu Metrocentre has been constantly evolving and developing to meet the needs of our customers and retailers. Our ongoing £120 million investment programme has created a new aspirational retail experience in our Platinum Mall, as well as the extension of the Qube leisure area, with 12 new restaurants encouraging day-long dining. We welcome our new 9 am opening time; it’s logical step that will be very popular as the schools go back and parents’ thoughts turn to getting organised for the coming season.”

To celebrate the earlier start time, Carluccio’s restaurant is offering a free coffee with every pastry purchased from Wednesday 6 – Friday 8 September and are also giving away free pastries from 9 - 10am in the transport interchange on Friday 8 September.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lyn Spencer .