Bicester Village has been offering discount designer clothes for 15 years now. Bicester shopping village has under-gone considerable expansion and now offers in excess of 120 stores, ranging from Ralph Lauren to Jimmy Choo.
According to an article in Buckingham Today, "The designer goods retail village has become one of the country's top tourist destinations, getting 3.6 million visitors in 2007. Last year overseas customers accounted for 30% of all visitors and the trend looks set to continue."
Advantages of Bicester Village
- Heavily discounted designer clothes. Designer clothes shops are offering customers' discounts of up to 60%. There is also a designer clothes sale during the winter and summer;
- Variety of shops. There are over 120 designer clothes shops;
- Designer clothing is guaranteed to be genuine. Unlike many places, Bicester Village offers 100% genuine clothes. This means that there isn't a problem with fake designer clothes like there is with eBay;
- Free parking. There are multiple free car parks available, although they do still get a little crowded at the weekend;
- Public transport connections. Transportation links are excellent. There is even a shuttle service from outside the train station taking people to Bicester Village for a £1;
- Adventure playground. A new adventure playground has been built at Bicester Village. This is especially useful for those with young families as shopping doesn't always appeal to kids.
Disadvantages of Bicester Village
- Last years fashions. Bicester Village offers customers heavily discounted designer clothes, but they are still last years fashions;
- Popularity. As already eluded to, Bicester Village gets in excess of 3.6 million visitors a year. Whilst they don't all show up on the same day, the designer clothes shops can be extremely busy during the weekends and holidays;
- Expensive food. Places to eat at Bicester Village are available, but they aren't cheap;
- Outdoor shopping. Shopping for fashionable clothes is great on a sunny day, but there is a lot of rain in the UK so remember to take an umbrella;
Bicester Village spokeswoman Miranda Markham said: "The appetite from international tourists to enjoy a shopping experience while visiting the area remains strong and we are working in close partnership with Bicester Town and all the major key Oxfordshire hotels and attractions to grow this business throughout the region."
Shopping at Bicester Village provides a great family day out. Whilst it is possible to save hundreds of pounds, it is also possible to over-spend. Work out what can be afforded and stick to budget or the only outcome will be credit card debt.
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