Merry Hill
C/study of an out-of-town shopping centre
C/study
Location: Merry Hill is a shopping centre in Brierley Hill near Dudley, West Midlands, England.
It was developed between 1985 and 1990, with several expansion and renovation projects taking place since. The original developers and owners were Richardson Developments but the Centre has had a number of other owners including Chelsfield and Mountleigh. The current owners are Intu and QIC. It was built originally by Tarmac Construction.
Merry Hill is the third largest facility of its type in the UK, home to over 250 Shops, Retail Park, Cinema and an Eat Central food hall and 10,000 car parking spaces. Adjacent to the main shopping site is The Waterfront, which accommodates offices for HM Revenue and Customs and has a marina area providing space for a number of bars and restaurants.
The Dudley No.1 Canal passes though the adjacent Waterfront site and high above the edge of the shopping centre, before descending Delph Locks.
Large single storey premises on a greenfield site off the M3
25.3 million visitors annually
Situated along the Dudley Canal to the South of the centre
Roughly 30 minutes from Birmingham to MHSC
85% of visitors are from people no more than 10 miles away from Merry Hill
Cradley Heath is the closest train station to Merry Hill, with shuttle busses that run to the shopping centre at no extra cost
66% of visitors are aged 16-44 – with more young adults attracted to out of town shopping
