Address: Chapel Hill, Braintree, CM77 8YH, United Kingdom
Phone: +441376348168
Rating: 4.2
based on 467 reviews.
Shopping Experience
Pros:
"It's good to see they have taken the whole 'social distancing' seriously, limiting numbers on to the site, hand sanitizers everywhere, a one ways systems to walk around and in the toilets."
"Reopened to shopping, covid restrictions in place with marshals ensuring the one way systems."
"Sanitiser provided in many places along the way and also in most, if not all shops."
"Great outlet shopping, can't believe I have only just visited, there certainly seems to be something for everyone."
"Fantastic place to shop and I commend the staff and management of Braintree Village who have put a lot of thought into keeping everyone as safe as possible."
"Always well kept and lots of staff to help a round the village."
"A really good outlet village with plenty of shops for ordinary people - yes there is Super Dry etc. but also M&S."
Cons:
"Horrible soulless place, retail theme park, full of people looking for non existent bargains."
"Most shops are full of stuff they can't sell in normal stores and not really the latest trend."
"Most shops only have sales in one corner of the shop, or not at all."
"Lacks a little in atmosphere (compared to Westfield for example) and some stores have limited range of stock."
"It's a strange place, a decent variety of shops but the place lacks a soul."
"But walking into the 'village', you're hit by the fact it feels soulless...like on the verge of closing down."
"Not much of a shopping experience, walked round in about half an hour, took us longer to find a parking space."
Pricing and Value
Pros:
"Loads of 'Designer' type shops reportedly cheaper than on the High Street."
"Good selection of outlet stores with some very good offers."
"They also offer really good prices."
"You can get great bargains."
"The value of the goods is incredible."
"Most of the stores are outlet shops which offer considerable discounts compared to the high street and they can even beat online prices at times."
"Freeport Braintree has a range of outlet shops offering good discounts on high street prices."
Cons:
"To me it is no longer a proper outlet. Prices/bargains are not as good as they used to be."
"All the gear is two years old being an outlet."
"Some of the shops like Cadburys sell their produce there dearer than on the High Street so not really pulling your average customer in."
"Discounts pretty pants, seems priced high and then discounted - can find better deals elsewhere and online."
"The shops don't actually give decent discounts and there aren't many good eateries inside the location itself."
"The prices are not as cheap as I thought they would be."
"Prices are generally not good value such that you'd prob be better shopping on the high street."
Parking and Accessibility
Pros:
"Tough to find a parking place on a Saturday......good to remember there are 3 car parks on both sides of the units."
"Lots of free parking so you don't need to worry about large parking costs."
"It has plenty of parking spaces on site which are free of charge."
"For a major shopping centre, no problems, even parking was easy!"
"Parking is free up to 6 hours which is plenty."
"Plenty of free parking."
"Parking free for 6 hours."
Cons:
"Parking costs just under £4.00 for the rest of the day after 6 hours."
"I have received a parking fine for being 27 mins over the 6 hours allowed time."
"It can get extremely busy and although there is masses of parking it can still be an issue getting parked."
"Parking was a nightmare, but once inside it was okay."
"Although the car park is fairly big, parking can be an issue and cars are often parked here, there and everywhere."
"Finding a parking space can be a bit challenging on the weekends."
"Car parking can be a bit tight when things get busy."
Facilities and Services
Pros:
"A large variety of shops to fulfill anyone's clothing needs."
"Great location if you live near, has a good selection of restaurants and has a cinema, bowling and a gym right on the doorstep."
"Quaint village shop style layout, with plenty of space in most shops."
"A few cafes for people to take a break from shopping. Customer toilets."
"The facilities are mostly well kept and clean and tidy, and there is also a customer service area for any queries."
"Really helpful map for non-frequent visitors and a great range of shops, including coffee and eateries, with public toilets clearly signposted."
"Good range of stores and restaurants, all facilities are cleaned and maintained to a high standard, good amount of space throughout to prevent it feeling crowded even through peak times."
Cons:
"It's not as large as Cheshire Oaks and there is a limited selection of food & drink outlets."
"There is a large section of shops currently closed off for redevelopment."
"Visited here on a cold day, a lot of empty units."
"For a designer village I thought it lacked some shops as the range for me isn't as good as Ashford or some other designer outlets."
"Hardly any places to eat in the village (why did they get rid of Burger King??)"
"Only downside is that if it rains you are outside so going to get wet."
"The only thing was at lunchtime the three restaurants we went to near Sunglasses Hit, weren't full staffed and we would have to wait 45-60 minutes for a table, which with kids doesn't work."