Retail Week visits Intu Eldon Square in the heart of Newcastle and ranks the best and worse retail stores on offer.

Best

Fenwick

Fenwick department store is a Newcastle institution and never disappoints. A true emporium, it is jam-packed with concessions from across the spectrum, from Topshop to Burberry. 

The star of the show is the Fenwick food hall, which not only includes a plethora of colourful looking delicacies but several places to sit down and enjoy a tipple mid-shopping trip.

Adidas

Sportswear brand Adidas’ sleek, spacious Eldon Square store is sure to attract those who are serious about sport and fitness.

The downstairs is devoted to running and football, while the mezzanine level houses womenswear and kidswear but all areas are bright, light and minimalist in design. It offers a serene environment to shop Adidas’ branded offer, a world away from a crowded Sports Direct.

River Island

It’s Sale time across retail but you wouldn’t guess from River Island, where red signs are at a minimum. Instead its clothing does the talking. The store is packed with product but arranged in easily shoppable sections based on colour and aesthetic. 

Worst

Disney

Intu Eldon Square’s Disney pop-up has been around for some time now (can it be called a a pop-up if it opened last October?) but there’s something rather ramsackle about the store. 

Disney is a source of magic and wonder for kids far and wide, yet there doesn’t appear to be enough inspirational product to fill the small store and many shelves are left bare.

Debenhams

Stores never look at their best during Sale periods so perhaps we’re judging Debs a bit harshly, but the ground floor womenswear department smacked of jumble sale when we visited. 

However, there were some nice elements on upper floors – see the lingerie department – however, would you venture further when greeted with a crowded mess at the main entrance.

Another note of interest is the restaurant. The department store is one of many that is increasing its food and beverage offering to attract more leisure spend. Plaudits for that but when compared to Fenwick’s food offer, it looks more school canteen than swish eatery.

New Look

A giant red Sale sign in the window leaves shoppers in no doubt that New Look is in discount mode. Again, there’s a look of the jumble sale about its core womenswear department, with shoppers jostling elbow to elbow to pick up cheap clothes even cheaper.

There are some nice elements to this store – the Hollywood-style changing room signage for one – but many would be put off by the melee at the main entrance.