Metro Centre

The Metro Centre, which opened in 1987, was designed by Ronald Chipchase & Associates 1987. At this time, the 2.25 million sq ft complex was the largest out-of-town shopping centre in Europe and was renowned for its indoor theme park, complete with rollercoaster. There are 350 retailers with units along malls that are roughly H-shaped. The two-storey malls have double-pitched glazed roofs and buff terrazzo flooring and finishes with 'egg-box' panelled ceilings. Along with the theme park, other themed areas include The Meditteranean Village and The Antiques Village. Here the shops have old-fashioned shopfronts inserted into 'traditional' facades with gables and dormers. The floor is paved with quarry tiles and the area is lit with lanterns. There is also a large food court and 50 restaurants and bars. Outside, the centre is surrounded by surface, and multi-storey car parks. The flat-roofed building is not impressive from the outside. It is of steel-frame construction and the largely blind walls are clad in red brick although there are some areas of mirrored glazing.