For the connoisseurs of shopping a visit to the Merry Hill Shopping Complex in the UK is a must. Boasting more than 150 shops and various brands beneath a single roof, the car park can accommodate a minimum of 10,000 vehicles at a time.
Should anyone think the exterior is imposing, the interior on the other hand is decked in brass and marble. The surroundings of the complex are so serene it is almost unbelievable. Every trip in the elevator is one of wonder and offers amazing views of fountains and other such additions. The complex has even been hailed as the finest shopping experience in Europe.
The shopping complex is open during the week; however, Saturday is perhaps the busiest day. The other plus point when shopping at Merry Hill is that it’s open on Sundays as well. The shops available at Merry Hill are varied and range from Marks and Spencer, Debenhams and Primark to eateries such as Nandos and large food halls. Just next door to the main shopping centre the Waterfront is where offices such as Customs and HR Revenue are housed. The area also has a lovely marina area and the restaurants here offer beautiful views.
Merry Hill is owned by the Westfield Group in Australia in partnership with the Queensland Investment Corporation. The total floor space extends to over 150,000 square metres. The complex is the fourth biggest in the United Kingdom behind Metro Centre, Bluewater and Westfield London.
In addition, the best part about shopping at Merry Hill is that it is efficiently connected to a bus station. From here visitors can obtain passes to rides that can take them into towns like Cradley Heath, Birmingham, Stourbridge and Dudley. The bus service which has been in operation since the 1990s also allows the complex users to be in close proximity to the railway station.
According to the Unitary Development Plan Process, plans are underway to bring together the Merry Hill complex together with the Waterfront along with Brierley Hill as well. This integration is actually part of a major regeneration programme, which is said to support the setting up of a new multi-usage town centre.
To actually get a feel for the complex travellers should set aside at least a day. From Merry Hill a bus ride and then accommodation at a Dudley hotel such as the Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill Dudley would be ideal. While the staff is known for their warm hospitality, their services and amenities will surely make one’s stay an enjoyable one.