Whitefriars Canterbury Reviews Summary

Shopping Experience

Pros:

• "Make yourself lucky by choosing Canterbury Whitefriars as your next shopping centre."
• "It's open, well laid out and 'room' to move about easily."
• "This is one of the nicest shopping centres in Kent."
• "Canterbury is probably the best place to shop in the county of Kent."
• "Whitefriars is the newest part of Canterbury town centre. It has a Boot's, Fenwicks, Next, H&M, Zara, Monsoon, River Island, Topshop and more."
• "There is a great selection of shops, usually pretty clean and tidy."
• "Absolutely love the atmosphere at Whitefriars. It's always busy and buzzing."

Cons:

• "It's fine, but not the best architecture or layout, not helped by the sprinkling of random vendor cabins restricting access on some 'avenues'."
• "Too many tacky wooden stalls making the area overcrowded and difficult to walk around."
• "The Authentic German currywurst stand sells currywurst no German would tolerate. It was disgusting."
• "Claims that several of its shops stock maternity clothes......they don't! Topshop is the only one that does and that consists of just two tiny rails."
• "I have visited Canterbury many times over the past fifty years and must confess that this last trip was nothing short of a total let down."
• "I find this shopping centre good and there are some OK shops but I’m rating it 3 stars as I think CCC needs to sort out all the dodgy phone repair shops everywhere."
• "The place is drab. I would not go here out of choice."

Accessibility and Convenience

Pros:

• "This place is in Canterbury and we went when on holiday in the area, it is easy to get to by bus, car or train!"
• "Whitefriars is an essential part of the Canterbury shopping experience, it offers a quality retail environment, is next to the bus station and walking distance from Canterbury East train station."
• "Very well maintained. Most shops are occupied. Light airy environment. Nice to sit in summer. Away from traffic. But close to all amenities."
• "Right in the town centre. Good for every type of shopping, all major brands are there within the market."
• "It is easy to get there by bus if you do not wish to worry about parking but there is parking available in the area."
• "A lovely shopping centre in the heart of Canterbury. Plenty of different shops available for most shoppers needs."
• "A nice shopping area in the centre of town offering a great selection of shops."

Cons:

• "The whole of Canterbury is good for shopping. But parking is a constant issue."
• "Parking in Canterbury is expensive and is frequently very busy."
• "Parking in the city is always a expensive option."
• "Parking in Tesco's multi storey is available but not cheap."
• "Parking is accessible, if a touch expensive."
• "Parking expensive as ever at over £2 per hour."
• "Parking charges are very high though so I would recommend choosing another car park in the area and walking into the complex from there."

Ambiance and Cleanliness

Pros:

• "Great shopping centre with a good range of stores, and it's a lovely clean space."
• "The place is very clean and well presented with a mixture of both historical sites and more modern ones."
• "Lovely modern but unhurried shopping centre with quality shops and a pleasant atmosphere."
• "The area is always clean and one can relax with a hot drink in one of the cafes."
• "Despite uncertainty in high street retailing Whitefriars remains a pleasant and positive shopping experience."
• "Whitefriars is kept well clean and maintained to a high standard."
• "It contrasts in a nice way with ancient and beautiful Canterbury."

Cons:

• "No police on the beat so beggars are out in full force waiting to harass you."
• "Seemed to have a good range of shops and amenities and a historic atmosphere which attracted a variety of different people. Saw quite a few homeless people in this area which doesn't give it a great vibe and somewhat lets it down."
• "Last week young men jumped the queue at the bus station by running in front of the bus... They may be part of an organised crime gang in the area."
• "It was busy yesterday. But still some of the public are not following covid rules."
• "Looks a bit run down a lot of empty shops but that's like most town centres at the moment."
• "Great for shopping but after the shops close this area become really trash."
• "First impressions once you walk out of whitefriars tent city. No less than 5 rough sleepers in the main high street had set up camp in empty shop fronts."

Facilities and Services

Pros:

• "There is public toilet facilities available in the area near the bus station."
• "If you want to get something to eat there's plenty of options ranging from McDonald's to restaurants."
• "Very extensive range of shops and it is easily possible to spend an entire day there."
• "Always enjoy coming here. So many cool shops, like River Island, H and M and Fenwick department store is right here too."
• "A great place for shopping and eating. Great range of restaurants covering all tastes and budgets."
• "Lovely place. Wide variety of shops, cafes and restaurants."
• "The shops are fairly close together so you aren’t trekking for ages to get from shop to shop."

Cons:

• "Marked down due to poor toilet facilities."
• "The nearby public toilets continue the unfortunate UK practice of charging for use, which is disappointing."
• "Was very unhappy with the opening times of the shops. My bus was due at 9:30 but couldn't get breakfast at KFC because they open at 10."
• "Every store in high Street should have customer toilets IMO."
• "The Christmas market is awful, full of overpriced, once a year use toot, and it makes it all to overcrowded."
• "Could do with some better signage to the public toilets but apart from that it's a great place."
• "When did everyone's bladder work 9 to 5 its a joke its also a paid toilet I am diabetic my bladder doesn't work 9 to 5."