

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.