Metro Centre, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

One of the earliest purpose-built shopping malls, the Metro Centre in Gateshead is one of the biggest in the UK. The Metro Centre is the hub of a vast retail area stretching alongside the river Tyne. It has all anyone might need – under one roof.

The Metro Centre is very much geared toward family shopping. To help younger children cope with the acreage of the centre, there are “boobaloos” (battery cars) which can be hired for young children to ride in during shopping. 

As an alternative to shopping, the centre offers various entertainments and attractions. Older children (and adults) enjoy the ten-pin bowling and the dodgems in the entertainment centre. The 12 screen cinema shows the most up-to-date films throughout the day and evening. 

There is a flourishing Kids’  Club, where the young can become MetroGnomes. Every weekend there are activities and entertainment provided within the open spaces of the centre. During all the major school holidays these increase to keep youngsters very well occupied. For unstructured play, there is a soft play area in Namco Funscape, for all children up to 12, supervised by the parents. The entertainments are mostly housed in the Qube –  the most recently redeveloped part of the Metro Centre. 

On a more serious note, the centre has a unique feature – a community church and chaplain. The chapel is open for private devotions and there is a regular Sunday afternoon service.    

Access to the Metro Centre is extremely good; there is a large bus station incorporated into the centre with a ten minute regular service to both Newcastle and Gateshead. It also serves as a drop-off and collection point for coaches. 

The perimeter road encloses car parking on all sides – 10,000 spaces in all and all free. There is considerable parking space for disabled drivers, all linked to the Shopmobility facilities, located within the ground floor car park areas. There are also electric car charging points available in the yellow car park. 

The Metro Centre is reached via the special junction off the A1, which is well signposted in both directions. From the south, this is after the Gateshead junction and the Angel of the North; from the north, it is after all the Newcastle signs and just after crossing the river Tyne.