What's Up With Westfield?

Lindsey
By Lindsey Last edited 179 months ago
What's Up With Westfield?

There were teething problems with Europe's biggest urban mall, of course, but they were largely of the overcrowding nature - a welcome headline maker for the spangly shopping behemoth arriving in time for Christmas shopping to defy encroaching gloom of dire recession. Now, though, what's up with Westfield?

The plight of the Aussie owned centre was picked up by the Austrialian Herald Sun, reporting that it's a ghost town. Where did they get this view from? Our own Evening Standard fuelling recession fear by gaily reporting that bored shop assistants outnumber punters by 8 to 1. That and Guardian columnist Alexander Chancellor's personal view that it's a good place to go for some "peace and quiet". And yet, surveying some facts, luxury brands continue to sign up to be part of the Village, the special huddle of upmarket and designer stores that is meant to be deserted, and the complex has recorded its 10 millionth visitor since opening just over 5 months ago.

Over the next couple of weeks, seasonal chocolate based activities, two hours free parking and Grazia inspired lady events spring into effect to lure the bank holiday shoppers in.

But what's your verdict on Westfield? What is it good for? Have you eaten out there, paraded in Prada or bagged some bargains? What's really happening in the westerly clean sweeped halls of consumerism? We want to know.

Last Updated 06 April 2009