Brent Cross Shopping Centre

File:Brent Cross - geograph.org.uk - 898980.jpg

File:Fenwick's at Brent Cross.jpg

Brent Cross Shopping Centre was developed by Hammerson and opened by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, on 2 March 1976.{{cite web|url=http://www.ltmcollection.org/photos/photo/photo.html?_IXSR_=9d0UBPMWFHi&_IXMAXHITS_=1&IXinv=1998%2F72749&IXsummary=results%2Fresults&IXsearch=brent%20station&_IXFIRST_=6|publisher=London Transport Museum|title=View of shopping centre, 1977|access-date=26 November 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181430/http://www.ltmcollection.org/photos/photo/photo.html?_IXSR_=9d0UBPMWFHi&_IXMAXHITS_=1&IXinv=1998%2F72749&IXsummary=results%2Fresults&IXsearch=brent%20station&_IXFIRST_=6|archive-date=3 March 2016}} The road adjacent to the shopping centre bears the name Prince Charles Drive to this day.{{cite web|url=https://www.hammerson.com/destinations/brent-cross|title=Brent Cross - North London's most popular shopping destination|publisher=Hammerson|access-date=12 February 2024}}

It was the first out-of-town and American-style indoor shopping centre in the country, with its construction taking 19 years to complete at a cost of £20 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/03/01/brent-cross-is-now-40-years-old-will-shopping-centres-be-here-in/|title=Brent Cross is now 40-years old. Will shopping centres be here in another 40?|first=Harry|last=Wallop|date=1 March 2016|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181024/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/03/01/brent-cross-is-now-40-years-old-will-shopping-centres-be-here-in/|url-status=live}} While the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre in London predates it, that was not considered to be a fully covered building.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/mvkawb/love-letter-40-years-of-brent-cross|title=40 Years Of Brent Cross|website=www.vice.com|access-date=13 October 2021|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181026/https://www.vice.com/en/article/mvkawb/love-letter-40-years-of-brent-cross|url-status=live}} The scheme was strongly supported by the local authority of Barnet, but strongly opposed by local traders in Hendon.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iE_7CgAAQBAJ&pg=PT117|title=London Boroughs at 50|first=Tony|last=Travers|publisher=Biteback Publishing|year=2015|isbn=978-1849549196|access-date=21 September 2020|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181027/https://books.google.com/books?id=iE_7CgAAQBAJ&pg=PT117|url-status=live}} The centre started out with {{cvt|74,320|sqm|order=flip}} of retail space{{cite web |url=http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Collections/OnlineResources/X20L/Themes/1385/1216/ |publisher=Museum of London |title=Shopping Centres |access-date=26 November 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605230931/http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Collections/OnlineResources/X20L/Themes/1385/1216/ |archive-date=5 June 2008 }} on a 52-acre (21 ha) site.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0dx_AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT58 |title=Shopping, Place and Identity – Peter Jackson, Michael Rowlands, Daniel Miller – Google Books |date=2005-09-20 |isbn=9781134733910 |access-date=2020-04-30 |last1=Jackson |first1=Peter |last2=Rowlands |first2=Michael |last3=Miller |first3=Daniel |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181029/https://books.google.com/books?id=0dx_AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT58 |url-status=live }}

File:Brent Cross - geograph.org.uk - 1671813.jpg

Upon its recession-era opening in 1976, Brent Cross was praised by the public bringing a bold American-style concept to Britain. A local newspaper called the centre a "futuristic concept", and its features such as the indoor fountain and air conditioning were noted. Richard Hyman, a retail analyst, said that Brent Cross's significance "can't be overstated. Before Brent Cross there was nothing like it."{{cite web |author=Harry Wallop |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/03/01/brent-cross-is-now-40-years-old-will-shopping-centres-be-here-in/ |title=Brent Cross is now 40-years old. Will shopping centres be here in another 40? |publisher=Telegraph.co.uk |date=2016-03-01 |access-date=2020-04-30 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181024/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/03/01/brent-cross-is-now-40-years-old-will-shopping-centres-be-here-in/ |url-status=live }}

Upon opening, Brent Cross had 75 stores and was open until late every weekday despite the mid-1970s UK recession.{{cite web|url=https://www.harringayonline.com/forum/topics/brent-cross-the-historical-link-with-harringay|title=Brent Cross – the historical link with Harringay|website=www.harringayonline.com|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181545/https://harringayonline.com/forum/topics/brent-cross-the-historical-link-with-harringay|url-status=live}}

Brent Cross was unusual at the time in that it was built on an undeveloped site rather than in a traditional town centre. The centre was built on a "concrete island" surrounded by the Brent Cross flyovers and the busy North Circular Road, but the centre's offering inside is what drew customers to it. The New Society magazine wrote about the centre in 1978:

{{Quote|The massive and featureless rectangles of the Brent Cross Shopping Centre... come as no surprise. They are just as hideous as everything else. But step through the doors and here is prettiness and femininity – just as soulless and just as commercialised as the filth outside, but a veritable perfumed nirvana.}}

Brent Cross quickly became a popular attraction for people in London and the South East, and a blueprint for shopping centres across Europe. Despite its age and dated appearance,{{cite web |url=https://londonist.com/london/features/an-ode-to-brent-cross-shopping-centre |title=An Ode To Brent Cross Shopping Centre |publisher=Londonist |date=2018-12-11 |access-date=2020-04-30 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181538/https://londonist.com/london/features/an-ode-to-brent-cross-shopping-centre |url-status=live }} it has remained a popular retail centre ever since.{{cite web |url=https://www.hammerson.com/media/press-releases/brent-cross-welcomes-40th-anniversary/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304172208/http://www.hammerson.com/media/press-releases/brent-cross-welcomes-40th-anniversary/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 March 2016 |title=Brent Cross welcomes 40th anniversary |publisher=Hammerson |date=1976-03-02 |access-date=2020-04-30 }} It was ranked as London's 5th largest retail centre in 2005, behind the West End, Croydon, Kingston upon Thames and Bromley.{{cite web|url=http://www.caci.co.uk/msd.asp?url=lsp-retailfootprint.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020003313/http://www.caci.co.uk/msd.asp?url=lsp-retailfootprint.htm|archive-date=2007-10-20|title=::: CACI – Marketing Solutions :::|date=20 October 2007}} In 2013 it was reported that it received 14 million visitors a year.{{cite web |url=https://ianscott.com/news/brent-cross-shopping-centre-rival-westfields/ |title=Brent Cross Shopping Centre to Rival Westfields – News Ian Scott |publisher=Ianscott.com |access-date=2020-04-30 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181553/https://ianscott.com/brent-cross-shopping-centre-rival-westfields/ |url-status=live }} It was ranked the UK's 9th best shopping centre in 2019 by GlobalData.{{cite web |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2019/12/westfield-crowned-uks-best-shopping-centre-2nd-year-running/ |title=Westfield crowned UK's best shopping centre for 2nd year running |publisher=Retail Gazette |access-date=2020-04-30 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181549/https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2019/12/westfield-crowned-uks-best-shopping-centre-2nd-year-running/ |url-status=live }}

The original three department stores when Brent Cross opened – Fenwick, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer – remain at the site. The former two have anchored the shopping centre since the beginning.{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/mvkawb/love-letter-40-years-of-brent-cross |title=A Love Letter to Brent Cross, London's Least Cool Shopping Centre |publisher=VICE |date=2016-03-07 |access-date=2020-04-30 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181547/https://www.vice.com/en/article/mvkawb/love-letter-40-years-of-brent-cross |url-status=live }}

By the 1990s, the centre was facing increasing competition from other large out-of-town shopping centres in the region, such as the Lakeside Shopping Centre. Work to extend the centre was begun in 1994 and was completed by 1996, giving it a capacity for 120 stores as well as a new multi-storey car park, replacing the older one, which added 2,000 new spaces. In addition, the low ceiling inside was replaced by glass to let more natural light in.

On 14 December 1991, four explosive devices were planted in the shopping centre by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). The bombs were discovered and defused before they could be detonated.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12650774.IRA_rail_bomb_causes_chaos_for_commuters/|title=IRA bomb causes chaos for commuters|publisher=Herald Scotland|date=17 December 1991|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181552/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12650774.ira-rail-bomb-causes-chaos-for-commuters/|url-status=live}}

On 6 November 2012, six people on three motorbikes entered the shopping centre and smashed the windows at jewellers Fraser Hart. An estimated £2 million worth of jewellery was stolen.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20219127 Armed robbers on motorbikes raid Brent Cross jeweller] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181553/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-20219127 |date=21 January 2023 }} BBC News. 6 November 2012 Retrieved 6 November 2012

Brent Cross shopping centre was planned to be extended as a part of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme. The John Lewis and Fenwick Department stores were to remain in their current location, Marks & Spencer was to move to a new location on the extended site, the bus station was to be relocated, and new parks, a "living bridge" across the North Circular Road and a cinema were all planned, along with new multi-storey car parks (with the existing surface carparks to be used for the shopping centre extension). Outline planning permission was achieved in 2010, and preparatory site clearance started in early 2018. Construction had been expected to start in 2018,{{cite web|url=http://www.barnet.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policies-and-local-plan/brent-cross-cricklewood-regeneration|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927020308/http://www.barnet.gov.uk/brent-cross-cricklewood-regeneration|title=Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration|archive-date=27 September 2011|website=Barnet Council}} but the whole scheme was put on hold in July 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/14-billion-expansion-brent-cross-14951064|title=£1.4 billion expansion of Brent Cross shopping centre put on pause amid 'turbulent period in UK retail'|date=25 July 2018|newspaper=My London|access-date=8 April 2022|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181549/https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/14-billion-expansion-brent-cross-14951064|url-status=live}}

File:Row of buses at BX.jpg

The Brent Cross bus station is adjacent to the shopping centre and is served by 14 different day bus routes with links throughout North London and to West London, the West End, and Hertfordshire.{{cite web|url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/brent-cross-a4-280821.pdf|title=Bus Route Maps: Brent Cross|publisher=Transport for London|access-date=26 March 2020}}

The shopping centre is surrounded by a "spaghetti junction" of trunk roads typical from the time it was built.{{cite web |author=Harry Wallop |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/03/01/brent-cross-is-now-40-years-old-will-shopping-centres-be-here-in/ |title=Brent Cross is now 40-years old. Will shopping centres be here in another 40? |publisher=Telegraph.co.uk |date=2016-03-01 |access-date=2020-04-27 |archive-date=21 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181024/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/03/01/brent-cross-is-now-40-years-old-will-shopping-centres-be-here-in/ |url-status=live }} As a result, pedestrian access to and from the shopping centre complex has been deemed "hostile" in modern times.{{cite web|url=http://www.barnet.gov.uk/developmentframeworkchapter_3.pdf#page=13 | title=The Area Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607204805/http://www.barnet.gov.uk/developmentframeworkchapter_3.pdf#page=13 |archive-date=2011-06-07 |access-date=2020-04-27}} The Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme aims to improve the local environment, and a new Brent Cross West Thameslink station opened in December 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/network-rail-gives-official-go-ahead-for-40m-london-station/10041832.article|title=Network Rail gives official go ahead for £40M London station|first=Rob|last=Horgan|website=New Civil Engineer|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181553/https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/network-rail-gives-official-go-ahead-for-40m-london-station-09-04-2019/|url-status=live}}

The interior of the shopping centre was featured in the 1994 film London by Patrick Keiller.{{cite web|url=http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/thesisfile32377.pdf|title=Dynamic of the Metropolis: The City Film and the Spaces of Modernity|first=Anthony|last=Kinik|publisher=McGill University, Montreal|date=1 August 2008|access-date=18 May 2018|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181550/https://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/index.html?pid=32377|url-status=live}} It shows the former large fountain and stained glass on the roof, which were removed in 1996.{{cite web|url=https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2015/04/27/fatema-ahmed/in-brent-cross/|title=In Brent Cross|last=Ahmed|first=Fatema|date=27 April 2015|website=London Review of Books|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181554/https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2015/april/in-brent-cross|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/bring-back-the-fountain-says-vanessa-feltz-at-brent-cross-3748646|title=‘Bring back the fountain’ says Vanessa Feltz at Brent Cross Shopping Centre’s 40th birthday party|first=Nathalie|last=Raffray|date=2 March 2016|website=Kilburn Times|access-date=13 October 2021|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181556/https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/22002403.bring-back-fountain-says-vanessa-feltz-brent-cross-shopping-centres-40th-birthday-party/|url-status=live}} It was also used to film the music video for "The Love Within", by the indie rock band Bloc Party, in 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://londonist.com/2016/03/in-pictures-brent-cross-shopping-centre-turns-40|title=In Pictures: Brent Cross Shopping Centre Turns 40|date=2 March 2016|website=Londonist|access-date=13 October 2021|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121181553/https://londonist.com/2016/03/in-pictures-brent-cross-shopping-centre-turns-40|url-status=live}}

The carpark of the shopping centre was used as a filming location for the 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/9547619/James-Bond-film-locations-around-Britain.html?frame=2341764|title=19 top secret Bond locations around Britain|date=28 October 2015|publisher=The Telegraph|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121182054/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/galleries/James-Bond-film-locations-around-Britain/|url-status=live}}

The shopping centre was also featured in Ken MacLeod's science-fiction novel The Star Fraction. The action takes place in a balkanized UK, in the middle of the 21st century, and the ruins of the shopping centre are used as a local market for the anarchist enclave of Norlonto ('North London Town').{{cite web|url=http://www.worldswithoutend.com/novel.asp?ID=606|title=The Star Fraction|publisher=Worlds Without End|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=21 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121182105/http://www.worldswithoutend.com/novel.asp?ID=606|url-status=live}}

• Bentall Centre
• Bluewater
• Centrale
• Eden Walk
• The Glades
• Lakeside Shopping Centre
• Westfield London
• Westfield Stratford City
• Whitgift Centre

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• [http://www.brentcross.co.uk/ Brent Cross shopping centre]

{{London landmarks}}

{{Shopping centres in London}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Shopping centres in the London Borough of Barnet

Category:Hendon

Category:Shopping malls established in 1976

Category:1976 establishments in England

Category:Brent Cross