Centre yourself with retail therapy

Shopping should really be a pleasure, yet so often it’s... ah, well, you know… not. Many contemporary shopping districts now pride themselves on their exclusivity which can result in a rather, uh, niche selection of stores – not to mention a handful of empty units.

Lancashire’s award-winning Affinity Outlets centre is an entirely different proposition, thankfully. Situated next to a picturesque marina on the edge of the seaside town of Fleetwood on the Fylde peninsula, Affinity is just ten miles by car from Blackpool, making it a convenient destination for holidaymakers from all over the UK.

Fortunately, you don’t need actually need a car to get there either, as there’s a regular bus service from the centre of Blackpool that conveniently stops right outside the centre’s door.

In addition, Affinity is also well served by one of the Britain’s oldest tram lines with a stop only a short five-minute walk away.

With such a scenic location close to one of England’s holiday hotspots, the extensive selection of stores has to be a bit special. But the centre also prides itself on pushing the boat out when it comes to attracting families with a free fun events programme throughout the year, in line with all the main school holiday periods and seasonal celebrations.

This October it is hosting a series of free “Cackles and Pumpkins” events with slimy potions workshops, spooky scavenger hunts, and many more Halloween-themed fun activities.

Accessibility is paramount at Affinity – all of its outlets are on one level, while there is ramped access to the centre from its parking area, which has 32 Blue badge parking bays – among the 700 other free parking spaces. All the restrooms are easily accessible, and there is free wheelchair hire, while sensory “borrow” bags come equipped with accessories to help people who might find shopping stressful.

The centre has attracted some of the key names in retail with more than 40 top brands offering discounts of up to 60 per cent off regular high-street prices.

Affinity is certainly your first choice for footwear, no matter what you’re looking for, as its outlets include Clarks, Skechers, Sports Direct, and Pavers.

It’s clearly a popular site with walkers, as Affinity has gone out of its way to make the centre dog-friendly. Dogs are welcomed at a surprising number of the stores, while there are plenty of drinking water stations, as well as free poo bag dispensers dotted around the site.

If your new shoes inspire you to head outside more often, then there’s plenty of outlets at Affinity to kit you out. Premium brands from Regatta Great Outdoors to Trespass vie with adventure brands such as Craighoppers and Mountain Warehouse.

If you’re looking for something specific, many of these stores offer the option to order an item online before collecting in store. This is an excellent option if you know exactly what you want – and in the exact size.

However, there’s still plenty of opportunities to browse at stores such as Next Outlet, Next Home, Saltrock, and London Leathers Direct. You can pick a shirt from Double Two and co-ordinate it with a suit from Skopes or Moss.

You could easily spend a full day at Affinity, as it offers a Costa and Coffee Box for refreshments, while there’s also a McDonald’s on hand, and the centre’s Fleetwood Garden World has its Poppie’s Tea Room and Ice Cream World in store.

In fact, there’s so much to see and do at Affinity that a look at its website prior to visiting is highly recommended. This will enable you to plan your trip, keep abreast of upcoming events, and join the Love Affinity centre-wide loyalty card scheme. Simply spend more than £10 in any one of its outlets to receive a stamp on your card, and every month you will have the chance to win a £50 shopping voucher.