As long as there is a W.H Smiths i'm okay

The most dire, over-hyped shopping centre in the country!

It's such a sterile, soul-less place that could be anywhere. The shops like HoF and M&S are lacking in many ranges and the whole place seems like it's just for upper-end shopping.
Fantastic to kill off (almost) the likes of Kensington, Hammersmith and Ealing for this monstrosity. Who on Earth buys Prada, Chanel, Louis Vitton etc. on a regular basis anyway, above all in a recession?

Give me Meadowhall, Lakeside or MetroCentre over this place any day. At least in those you have something for everyone

I live but 5 minutes drive away.
I ain't never gonna visit innit!

I'm glad it doesn't have "something for everyone" and that it tends to aim for mid-high end brands and chains. Most other high streets and shopping centres are full of cheap shops so it is nice to go somewhere a bit more 'premium' in appeal although Westfield still has the likes of TopShop, H&M, Zara etc which aren't exactly designer places.

If you notice the way they designed the place the cheaper shops like Superdrug are 'hidden' slightly in the lower part of the centre.

It also ensures you don't get so much of a chav element spoiling it for everyone else.

I do think it is ever so slightly sterile and clinical - probably all the white they used to decorate it but the overall design is brilliant inside. The outside however is just a nasty green and silver box!

Essentially I think Westfield is supposed to be a "destination" type of shopping experience rather than a "pop in everyday for a few essentials" type place.

There is a Pizza Express just off Shepherd's Bush Green (about 5 mins walk away). I always have to chuckle when I see people queueing up in Westfield tto get into Pizza Express.

dislike. It was so up it's own arse.

No, I guess you just have that "snob element" instead :yawn:

i LOVE westfield.
I don't have much money and only tend to shop in dorothy perkins/topshop/zara/warehouse/river etc, but i love having a whole day walking around westfield. It's nice as a change, I like looking around the shops i wouldn't normally go to, theres a lot of shops i had never even heard of before. I also love all the little stores in the middle of the mall, like a nice smoothie bar and ice cream store. I did chuckle when going through the 'posh' part (the Village?) where theres a champagne bar on show for all the rich ones who like to show everyone just how well off they are, sipping champers at 11am.
I agree that the eating part of the day is a bit shambolic. Been to westfield twice and both times went to pizza express. got there at 11.55am last time so was in pretty much straight away, last time queued for about half hour. They play fast music to make you eat fast and rush you out of your seats as soon as your plate is looking almost-finished.

A bit of both IMO. There's the M&S and Waitrose supermarkets which I imagine will experience repeat trade from locals who want more than the local Morrisons or Tesco.

You have a point about Westfield I guess, though the Trafford Centre is very very similar in "posh shop aspects" (may-be not as posh) but posh enough

I agree with you too about visiting shop's i'd not normaly go to but whichever Shopping CentreI go to - I know which shop's i'm aiming to look for/go into and will only give "new ones" a minute or 4 the time of day if they are realy good looking offering something novel. Easy as really

DS

I'm not especially well off but I have been to the Champagne bar in the Village section of Westfield. Not for showing off purposes but because it was a nice, fun treat type thing to do. I wouldn't do it every month or every visit to Westfield but if I fancy a treat and have the spare cash I might take me and whoever I am shopping with for a glass of Champagne for the hell of it!

I walk through it every day on my way too and from work, plus shop there often as I work next door. Also have visited on weekends even though its a trek from home. If i'm going to go anywhere apart from my local high street it will either be Westfield or Bluewater.
There are plenty of "normal" shops, not just high end. Plus not sure about the knocking to get in? I walk past the "Village" every day and never ever seen that - much have been a one off.
It's much more civilised and relaxed than a lot of other big malls and yes doesnt seem to attract the chav element.

I do always seem to be giving people directions though..they could do with more sineage.

The food offer in Westfield isn't terribly inspiring, but there are loads of absolutely fantastic and very reasonably-priced eating options a few minutes' walk away, to name just a few:

BlahBlahBlah - Vegetarian
Abu Zaad - Syrain/Damascene
Jasmine - Thai
Cooke's - Pie & mash
Vine leaves - Greek
Adam's Cafe - Tunisian
Patio - Polish

Also some fantastic bakeries and patisseries on Uxbridge Road for freshly made sandwiches, cakes, teas, coffees etc