I visited shopping destination that's 'exploded in size' 30 minutes from city

I am not always a big fan of shopping, but when I am in the mood, having a good destination to head to is great. And lucky for me, there is a designer outlet less than 30 minutes from my house.

Recently Manchester Evening News reporter Dianne Bourne visited Quayside Shopping Mall in Manchester and was shocked at how empty it was. She then compared it to McArthurGlen's Cheshire Oaks in Ellesmere Port saying how Cheshire Oaks had become a giant destination that had exploded in size and wondered what Quayside could do to emulate its success. Cheshire Oaks was officially opened by the late Queen Elizabeth in 1998 and is just 30 minutes from Liverpool City Centre, and less for me as someone who lives in Wirral on the other side of the River Mersey.

Because of that, Cheshire Oaks is a key shopping destination for many in Merseyside, but this is not just down to the locations, as people will travel for a good retail experience.

Firstly, free parking makes this designer outlet an easy sell to win over my sometimes grumpy husband, who hates paying for any parking.

There are hundreds of free spaces and this allows you to browse uninhibited by time pressures.

Secondly, there are so many shops, it is almost impossible to cover them all in one trip.

Huge names grace Cheshire Oaks with their outlet prices. Big brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Boss, Calvin Klein, Armani and Lululemon all have stores.

There are around 140 shop fronts, with some sweet treat standouts that everyone visits when they go, such as the Haribo shop, Lindt outlet, Hotel Chocolat and Cadbury's.

Other brands like Whittard, Yankee Candle and Molton Brown also have stores with end-of-line items and outlet exclusives. We tend to go when new shoes are needed, with choices from Adidas, Vans and Converse, to name a few.

There is also a cinema and children's play area, so if one member of the family wants to shop but the kids aren't into it, there is an alternative for them while they wait.

I last went on a mild March evening to find a shirt (the M&S outlet provided), but aside from the huge variety of shops, I was also struck by how clean and tidy it was.

Perhaps a small thing, but it makes a massive difference to your shopping experience. They also have a lot of public toilets which are well kept and clean, another positive.

It is also nice and quiet, even when it is busy, and I think that is down to how well-spaced everything is. Wide walkways are perfect for getting your daily steps in with your designer bags, but this can be a downside if you only want two shops that are on the other end of the outlet, or you just don't want to or can't walk long distances.

They also have a large number of restaurants and cafes, which is perfect for you to break up a shopping trip. Everything from Pret and Five Guys to Mowgli and Yo! Shushi.

With a tired five-year-old demanding chicken nuggets, the last time I visited, it was a McDonald's stop, but my time before that, it was Wagamamas, which I personally think is overhyped, but I fear I am in the minority.

I think Cheshire Oaks owes a lot of its success to keeping the shops full of brands people know and love; when one store closes, people know a new announcement is on the horizon.

The free parking can not be understated either, it just makes the decision to go there easier, especially when it opens till late even on weekdays. The bright, clean environment is also massively helpful.

They also hold a number of events and special days at the designer outlet, and they have a massive Christmas light switch on, all great for keeping the shopping destination at the forefront of people's minds.

In 2022, Cheshire Oaks was sold to LaSalle Investment Management as part of a £600million deal, and so far, it doesn't seem to have affected its growth and its place as a great shopping destination in the North West.