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.
28:42
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Quick takeaways
- The Metro Centre in Gateshead was promoted as a symbol of a shopping revolution by Margaret Thatcher, emphasizing choice and community focus.
- The design of the Metro Centre reflected nostalgic narratives, creating a unique shopping environment with village-like quarters and European street scenes.
Deep dives
Emergence of the Metro Centre in Gateshead
The Metro Centre in Gateshead, built in 1986, emerged as the largest shopping mall in Europe, offering not only a variety of high street shops but also entertainment options like a cinema and a theme park. The government's support through the enterprise zone scheme enabled its construction. Margaret Thatcher actively promoted the mall as a symbol of a shopping revolution, emphasizing choice and a community focal point.
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