Your Complete Guide to Lakeside Retail Park Shopping & Dining

If you’re in search of a unique day out shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, or just searching for some home inspiration, Lakeside Retail Park in West Thurrock, Essex has something up it sleeve. Easily accessible from the A13 and M25, the out of town shopping is adjacent to popular Lakeside Shopping Centre which combined provides one of the biggest retail destinations in the South East. Whether you’re looking for stylish homeware, a family meal or a quick coffee break here’s everything you need to know before your visit.

About Lakeside Retail Park

Lakeside Retail Park is a distinct complex from the main Lakeside Shopping Centre, although they are within walking distance of one another. The retail park is big on bulky shed-type stores and creating an outdoor space that offers home brands such as Currys, DFS, Argos and Furniture Village as well as lifestyle goods. What’s more, you’ll be surrounded by popular food chains and cafés making it perfect for those in a rush or for relaxing weekends.

There are the park’s obvious accommodations for visitors, all designed with the overlord in mind: vast open spaces, wide bays for parking semis and easy in and out areas. It is one of the easily accessible retail parks in Essex and East London due to its sites close to main roads.

Do You Have to Pay for Parking at Lakeside Retail Park?

For visitors, parking is a substantial draw. Parking at Lakeside Retail Park is free for those kinds of customers. There is no charge for regular visits, and there are hundreds of parking spots right outside the store.

But be mindful that time limits on such furloughs are not uniform. Some parts of the car park may be restricted to discourage long-term parking, particularly during peak weekends. The correct time allowances are recorded on the parking bay signs near your spot always check these. The free parking also makes the retail park more convenient than considerably more expensive nearby shopping centres.

Which Is Better, Bluewater or Lakeside?

The Lakeside vs Bluewater argument is an old one in South East shopper circles. Both retail destinations are large, well-stocked and serve up a blend of shopping and entertainment but speak to slightly different experience.

• Lakeside Retail Park and Shopping Centre between them have an extensive selection of high street names, homeware and place to eat with easy access, free parking. It’s perfect for a no nonsense, laid back visit to the shops where you can take care of what you need to do in town, and enjoy a bite to eat without breaking the bank on parking.
  
• Bluewater Shopping Centre in Greenhithe, Kent is a cut above: designer labels and fine dining serve up opulence in a slick setting. It’s great for a day trip or special occasion, but can be more expensive and crowded, especially on weekends.

If convenience, cheapness and accessibility are on your agenda, Lakeside Retail Park could be more up your street. If you are looking for a more upmarket experience and higher end brands, then a trip to Bluewater is well worth the effort.

What Is Replacing Debenhams in Lakeside?

When Debenhams shut up shop across the UK, with little fanfare and even less explanation, countless shoppers have wondered what’s next for those cavernous retail spaces. In Lakeside Shopping Centre, the old Debenhams store is now Flannels, which specialises in designer brands like Gucci, Balenciaga and Off-White.

The introduction of Flannels signals an evolution in mixing high end and high street within Lakeside, diversifying the offer even further. It is all good news as far as the shoppers of Lakeside Retail Park are concerned, more choice and pulling in more visitors to the wider area. This ongoing evolution ensures the Lakeside complex remains ‘alive’ and competitive with nearby centres.

Dining at Lakeside Retail Park

After some shopping, there are plenty of places to take a load off and recharge. Eating options at Lakeside Retail Park include popular family friendly chains; Nando’s, Frankie & Benny’s, McDonald’s and Costa Coffee. There’s something to suit all tastes and budgets, whether you’re on the go with a takeaway or seated for the real deal.

For more choice, the main Lakeside Shopping Centre across the road broadens your options with those including TGI Fridays, Wagamama and PizzaExpress, complete with the Boardwalk area next to the lake for an evening meal overlooking water.

Is IKEA Lakeside Parking Free?

Yes, IKEA Lakeside, part of Lakeside Retail Park area also has a parking that is free for all customers. The car park is one of the largest anywhere in the retail park, so there’s always a good chance that you’ll get a space on even the busiest of weekends and bank holidays.

IKEA’s free parking rule is great for customers looking to purchase large items or shopping around some home inspo. There are also designated parent and child and disabled spaces near the entrance for extras-convenience.

How Long Can I Stay in the IKEA Car Park?

Most of the time you can spend in the IKEA Lakeside car park for three hours but there may be some day or season exceptions. The time constraint is intended to prevent stores from being filled with fake shoppers.

If you know that you will be longer in the vicinity e.g. shopping at Lakeside Retail Park or Lakeside Shopping Centre after visiting IKEA, it’ll may pay to relocate your vehicle to a car park where parking is unrestricted or allows a longer return time. This will save you any potential parking fines and remove the hassle of your visit.

Which IKEA Is Bigger, Ashton or Warrington?

In terms of being an IKEA in the UK, Warrington is the biggest. Its near-neighbor, IKEA Ashton-under-Lyne, near Manchester, is a little smaller but still among the region’s largest.

Although not the biggest, IKEA Lakeside is one of the most popular thanks to its location and accessibility from London, Kent and Essex. The shop floor design is up to date, with plenty of inspiration rooms and an extensive marketplace plus a large restaurant serving Swedish favourites. Size and Situation Its size means it is a major part of the Lakeside Retail Park offering.

Shopping Tips for Visiting Lakeside Retail Park

• Try to go early on a weekend and beat the crowds, as parking can be difficult to find.
  
• Find out the opening hours of individual stores, as this can differ from the main shopping centre.
  
• Bring a (reusable) bag as some of the larger stores charge customers to take carrier bags.
  
• You should plan out your route, especially if you want to cover both the retail park and shopping centre in a single visit.
  
• Maximize sales and clearance centers especially in home and furniture stores.

Why Visit Lakeside Retail Park?

Lakeside Retail Park has the ideal combination of convenience, choice and value. With free parking, national brands and easy access to IKEA and shopping centre it’s a family friendly place where home improver can find everything they need all under one roof without the hassle of city centre trading.

Whether you’re refreshing your home, dining out with friends or shopping just for fun, Lakeside Retail Park takes away the effort of shopping in London.