Cribbs Causeway is a location just north of Bristol, England, best known for The Mall, a large out-of-town shopping centre. Cribbs Causeway is situated in Patchway, South Gloucestershire, near Filton Airfield . The primary access routes are the M5 Junction 17 and the Patchway bypass road. The Mall, with around 14 million visitors a year, is one of the two major shopping centres in the Bristol area, the other being Broadmead.
The name
The retail area takes its name from the road that runs from the northern edge of Bristol at Henbury to a point just beyond the M5 junction. This route is the former Roman road from central Bristol to the crossing point of the River Severn at Aust, now parts of the A4018 and B4055 . The name of the road itself is often said to owe its name to Tom Cribb, a famous bare-knuckle boxer from nearby Henbury. However, a book on the street names of Bristol 1 states that this was proved wrong by the discovery of a map showing the current name dated to four years prior to his 1781 birth. The books author goes on to speculate that the true origin of the name may be from Crybe's dewlling (Crybe being a personal name), or from crib - a manger or hovel.
The Mall
The Mall, opened on March 31 1998, comprises 135 shops on two levels, although some of the large stores occupy more levels. The major businesses are Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and Boots. The Mall has a large water fountain at its centrepoint which is known for its impressive water displays. Money thrown into the fountain is donated to local charities. Above the fountain is the extensive food court. The Mall has its own bus station.
Other sections
The Venue is an entertainment complex featuring a cinema, a recently opened bowling alley, fitness centre and eating places.
The two retail parks are warehouse style shops with individual entrances from outside. The first retail park is a group of large shops housed in distinctive yellow buildings. Nearby is a second retail park containing shops such as B&Q, TK.Maxx , Carpet World and Hobbycraft .
Other shops include the United Kingdom's first ASDA WalMart supermarket, the first Morrisons supermarket in the south of England, Toys-R-Us, Makro, Tile World and DFS, also car dealers, warehouses, pubs and hotels. Hidden away in a lane that passes under the motorway, is the Cribbs Business Centre.
External links
Notes
Note 1: The Street Names of Bristol - Their Origins and Meanings by Veronica Smith. ISBN 1-874092-90-7. Published in 2001 by Broadcast Books, 4 Cotham Vale, Bristol, BS6 6HR [1].
Last updated: 10-12-2005 13:43:57
