Address: Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DX, United Kingdom
Phone: +441442413818
Rating: 3.8
based on 200 reviews.
Shopping Experience
Pros:
"Looks great now that the Marlowes shopping centre has had an amazing makeover."
"The Marlowes isn't the largest of shopping centres or has the greatest of choice. But generally you will find most things."
"There is a good atmosphere, good lifts."
"Facilities are amazing and it's very modern inside."
"This place has a nice selection of shops. It's clean and spacious."
"The local shopping mall never disappoint. Always innovative, clean and welcoming."
"It was great went shopping with my Sister and had a lovely meal at the Brunch great service and fantastic food."
Cons:
"Good shops, however the reason for the low star rating is the rip off parking, compared to the Intu in Watford and other shopping centres, it is ridiculous."
"Nice space but a bit depressing as too many empty shops."
"Some great shops inside but the centre feels dirty, the lifts are always out of order and toilets have been out of service for weeks."
"Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much heating available in the shopping centre and generally is quite cold particularly this time of year."
"Very poor. Trying to be like nearby Watford which in itself is struggling these past few years."
"This used to be a fantastic shopping centre but has now deteriorated so much over the years."
"Absolutely awful. Hardly any brand shops, run down and depressing."
Family and Child-Friendly Facilities
Pros:
"A large child friendly area in the centre is useful but for an ordinary shopper its noisy and congested."
"The good thing it does have however is little play grounds for children."
"I love the family centre provided in the heart of the shopping centre it makes the day here much easier with children."
"Excellent new parents room for changing and feeding babies/toddlers."
"Haven't been to this mall in a while but went back and it is a load better than I remember it being. It has a new absolutely fantastic family room with changing tables, soft play area, family bathroom, microwave to help prepare baby food, and breast feeding cubicles."
"Moreover, there are reproductions on a real scale of animals like the lion, the gorilla, the giraffe and the Panda. Areas dedicated to children are not missing!"
"They always put on an impressive family entertainment schedule during the school holidays."
Cons:
"There is no decent play area for children apart from a small part of the mall with a slide and a boring fox to climb on."
"When I say little however, I really mean little (they're tiny and busy) not big enough for many children."
"The centre is undergoing a lot of works at the moment which hopefully, once completed, will improve the amenities on offer. Bit of a nuisance currently the only toilet available are on the first floor and only accessible by one set of lifts."
"It's like a ghost town. So many units are empty and to try and help get more people into the shopping centre they've increased the car park prices."
"Who was the clever person who allowed those smelly cafes inside this shopping centre?"
"The hole place has a bad smell."
"No nice big shops any more and plenty of empty ones."
Parking and Accessibility
Pros:
"It has convenient multi-storey parking and access above the centre itself, as well as other car parks around the town."
"There is a new car parking system that works a lot better without using a ticket."
"Love the convenience of the Marlowes. Ample car parking available and lift access to the shopping centre."
"Very under utilised by locals. Easy to park, high street shopping makes a change from the standard mall visit and very pleasant as long as the weather is good."
"Good selection of shops and easy parking."
"The car park was very good and there are lots of spaces for parents."
"For Blue badge holders blue badge drivers NOW have to pay (22/11/23), No discounts are available, only on selected days within the car park."
Cons:
"Every single time I visit the Marlowe's at least one of their lifts is out of order."
"Shame on you for increasing parking charge before Christmas."
"The lowest parking charge is £2 for 2 hours, which is excessive if you just want to pop in to make a quick purchase or return."
"Wasted half an hour queuing to park only to be directed out again because there were no spaces."
"Secondly, i don't understand why at one end of Marlowes shopping centre entrance there is access to Automatic doors, yet the other side doesn't."
"If you've never been there, be aware that you need your ticket with you to pay before you get back to your car. Not enough disabled parking spaces."
"Only one entrance to shopping centre has automatic doors difficult if using mobility scooter."
General Maintenance and Cleanliness
Pros:
"Been a while since I last been its a pretty standard mall with some of the common shops but unfortunately shop closures are creeping in around hemel so it's not got the wow factor but will meet most needs."
"The Marlowes area as a whole is slowly improving with better things to see and do: occasionally a few pieces of entertainment for family and it's cleaner than it used to be."
"They are working on the centre, so it has and still is, improving."
"It's very clean with helpful staff and the centre are improving the place."
"The shopping centre itself is clean and bright."
"It is currently under renovation. With a free children's crèche to be installed."
"It is clean & tidy & felt safe."
Cons:
"Took the lift and there was a bogey on the button. I don't like bogies. Especially on buttons."
"Really needs the paving sorted, as it is currently a trip hazard in places."
"Most of the security guards seem to do nothing when needed."
"Terrible service, poor maintenance and customer services."
"A sad place. Many many shops were closed."
"The shops were fine but getting there was a problem. The road to the multi storey car park was closed."
"Also wouldn't recommend the Starbucks here as it massively messes up orders and takes forever."