Shopping in the North of England

Mid-season sales mean only one thing: shopping, and lots of it. Mini-breaks dedicated solely to shopping have become increasingly popular, with fashionistas travelling across the country to find their favourite brands, vintage boutiques and new trends. British fashions are acclaimed as some of the best in the world, so it isn’t surprising that shopaholics are eschewing the famous shopping cities of New York and Milan in favour of stylish cities on our own soil. London is a popular choice for many seeking retail therapy, however it is easy to forget that there are shopping havens outside of the capital. This guide will look at what shopping destinations are available in the North of England, where to stay and what to expect.

Manchester

 

Manchester is one of Britain’s best shopping destinations, boasting two large shopping centres in addition to the eclectic delights of the Northern Quarter. The Manchester Arndale centre in the heart of the city is a fashionistas dream, as it is the largest inner-city shopping mall in the United Kingdom. The centre has hundreds of highstreet and designer stores, as well as being a short walk to Harvey Nicks and Selfridges. Moreover, for hungry shoppers, there are lots of restaurants to satisfy and regenerate. In addition, the Trafford Centre (located just outside of city-centre Manchester) is equally as vast. With marble floors, fountains and giant chandeliers, this centre is classy and sophisticated meaning you can splash your cash in style.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a famous shopping destination that is renowned for its glamorous women (and not just WAGs and celebrities!). With a huge range of shopping districts within the city, Liverpool has enough shops to satisfy even the most determined shopaholic. The exclusive Metquater is a WAG favourite and is packed with designer stores. Moreover, the relatively new Liverpool ONE centre has over 160 highstreet and designer shops, meaning the “shop ‘til you drop” phrase is often in danger of coming true! Beauty salons are also a speciality in the city, so it is an absolute essential to stop for a quick manicure in between searching for that perfect LBD.

So, two of the best British shopping destinations have been showcased but the question remains: which one to choose? The fact is you don’t have to choose. You can have the best of each of these shopping havens by choosing a central hotel in between the cities, taking advantage of a city-escape hotel and retreating from the bustle after a hard day’s shopping. One option for this would be choosing a hotel in leafy Cheshire - there are plenty of hotels in Warrington and the surrounding area that fit the bill perfectly.

If you wish to head further up north, then the bustling, metropolitan cities of Leeds and Newcastle also provide numerous great shopping opportunities, as well as a vast array of bars and restaurants for you and your friends to unwind in after a busy day hitting the shops. So, with four great Northern cities to choose from, London soon loses its status as the shopping capital of England. The only question left for you and your friends is: when can you all get away?

Many thnaks to guest author Lauren who writes on behalf of The Gullivers Hotel in Warrington, Cheshire.