Thinking Allowed Shopping
Jun 25, 2024
Guests Emma Casey and Katie Appleford discuss the impact of the MetroCentre shopping mall in Gateshead and the changing shopping habits of UK mothers post-COVID. They delve into the history of malls, consumer behavior shifts during the pandemic, and the future of shopping experiences.
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Childhood Shopping Memories
- Laurie Taylor reminisces about childhood shopping trips to Liverpool city centre.
- He contrasts the bustling atmosphere of Lewis's and Owen Owen's with the sterile environment of a modern London shopping centre.
Metro Centre's Significance
- The Metro Centre in Gateshead, once Europe's largest mall, was built in 1986.
- Its construction symbolized a shift in consumer behavior and the rise of mall culture.
Vision Behind Metro Centre
- John Hall, an ex-miner, envisioned bringing US-style malls to the UK.
- Margaret Thatcher supported the Metro Centre's development, seeing it as a symbol of economic progress.