The Merry Hill Shopping Centre has over 220 shops with the anchor department stores being Debenhams, Marks and Spencer and BHS. There are also Sainsbury's and ASDA supermarkets. The list of instantly recognisable high street retail brands is extensive and here are just a few: Next, TK Maxx, Boots, H&M, Primark, Jessops, Evans, H Samuel, Beaverbrooks, New Look, Wallis and many more.
In 2009 the new food court known as 'Eat Central' opened taking the number of places at which to eat to 50 including: Nando's, Harry Ramsden's, Pizza Express, Frankie and Benny's, Tiffinbites, JD Wetherspoon's, Harpers, Oporto, KFC, McDonalds, Burger King and more.
Alongside the Merry Hill Centre is the retail park, which was the first part of the site to be developed. Stores here include Currys, Staples, PC World, Mothercare, Maplins, Matalan, Comet, Lee Longlands, American Golf Discount, JJB Sports, Next Home, Toys R Us, Au Naturale and Carphone Warehouse.
Unlike the majority of the top UK shopping centres, the Merry Hill Centre does not enjoy particularly good Motorway or rail access. Despite this, it does not affect it's popularity, and it can get particularly busy at the weekends.
Travelling by car from the North, exit at Junction 2 of the M5 and take the A4123 signposted Dudley to Burntree Island. Turn left onto the A461 through Dudley to the junction with A4036, then follow the brown basket signs.
Note that there have been some horrendous road works at Burnt Tree Island lasting several months with considerable tailbacks, so you may want to use the Junction 4 route below.
Travelling from the South, leave the M5 at Junction 4 signposted for Stourbridge. Follow the A491 to Stourbridge and then take the A4036 to Merry Hill travelling through Lye. The route is signposted with the brown basket signs.
There are 10,000 free car parking spaces around the Merry Hill shopping centre and a multi-storey car park next to BHS and opposite the cinema.
Stores at The Merry Hill Centre include:
Halesowen Abbey 3.9 miles
Halesowen B62 8RJ