Canary Wharf gets top marks from WATC as a great place to shop for high street brands. We are not in the least bit surprised that all the major retailers have jumped on the tube from the City and West End and got off at Canary Wharf to serve it’s population of 97,000 hungry office workers and shoppers. The introduction of the shopping mall just over five years ago and its subsequent extension back in 1996, has enabled Cabot Place and most recently Jubilee Place to rate easily alongside the likes of the Lakeside shopping centre (although on a smaller scale). However, if you are looking for unique boutiques, you will not find them in either shopping area, but all in all, well worth a visit if you don’t want to street hop in the City or take a tube up the West End to find what you need.
Shopping at Canary Wharf
There are two main areas to shop in Canary Wharf. The largest one is Cabot Place, the second is Jubilee Place. Both are within a few minutes walk of Canary Wharf tube.
For more information on shopping at Canary Wharf go to www.mycanarywharf.com.
Cabot Place
Cabot Place runs either side of 1 Canada Place. The East and West side (the west being the smaller side) are full of high street brands. As with every shopping centre, all areas are interspersed with fast food outlets and service based retail units (i.e travel agents, opticians, shoe repairers, card and gift shops).
There are four floors to Cabot place, split in to an east side and a west side (the east being the larger area of the two). The four levels consist of the promenade level, the street level and floors 1 and 2. Maps are available of the whole complex at each entrance; we would definitely recommend one of these to navigate your way around.
The easy way to approach the mall is from the East side which is where John Lewis is located. Where it gets a little complicated is how you cross between the East and West side at a street level as you need to walk across the lobby of 1 Canada Square.
Promenade Level – West
As mentioned, the West side is the smaller end of the larger mall and is home to Kate Kuba & Dune for Shoes, Reiss & Hugo Boss for Clothes, Myla for Lingerie and healthy fast food outlet, Leon.
Promenade Level – East
Heading away from the West side on the Promenade level, there seems to be an emphasis around the provision of services, e.g travel agents, opticians, shoe care etc, our particular favourite during our journey onwards was Charbonnel et Walker (Chocolatier). There are various fast food outlets that exist in this section of the mall, such as Oi Bagel, Pret and soon to open Wasabi. Pass the exit to Canada Square (and Canary Wharf tube) and again the theme seems to be services, e.g cashpoints
more eat and run outlets, e.g Square Pie moving on to beauty with Nails inc, and Tony & Guy (hair).
The real high street shopping experience seems to start here with clothes shops, Topshop, Hobbs, Ted Baker, Warehouse and Dorothy Perkins. This theme continues as you walk pass the Canada Place entrance on to Monsoon, Wallis, Oasis and Next. As you head towards John Lewis (full store over 2 levels) the last stops are Gap and Fat Face. The Rejuvenation MediSpa or the Gentry Hair & Spa are located here and are a definite recommendation for a treatment at the end of a heavy shopping day.
Street Level – West
Starts with Zara (high fashion), Massimo Dutti (designer wear), The White Company (clothes) and Space NK (Cosmetics/beauty). Grab a sandwich to remember at the lovely Birley or a quick caffeine boost at Coffee Republic before cutting through the ticket concourse at Canary Wharf station to go back to the East side.
Street Level – East
Across the concourse to the East side for Austin Reed (Workwear), Thomas Pink (Shirts), Gap Kids (Childrens wear), Jones & Church’s (shoes).
Floor 1 – East & West
Zara continues and Tesco metro in the West and SweatyBetty (A WATC recommendation) for yoga, sports and casual wear. Suits You and Boots.
Floor 2 – East
A dining experience with Pizza Express, ITSU or Chilli’s. The West side on the 2nd floor is home to Singapore Sam’s and Burger King.
Floor 2/Floor 3
The far East side above John Lewis is Reebok City. Home to the biggest sports club in Canary Wharf, with Reebok shops, a deli and Spa.
Floor 4
Plateau Bar – Bar and Grill – great views over canary wharf. Fairly pricey but a great experience nevertheless for fine dining and drinks.
Jubilee Place
Jubilee place across is again a few minutes from Canary Wharf tube (on the same side as Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley). There is only a promenade level at Jubilee Place. Again there is a definite emphasis on high street brands such as French Connection, Karen Millen, LK Bennett, Reiss, Whistles, TM Lewin, Choice and Phase Eight for clothes, L’Occitane and Jo Malone for Beauty. Marks and Spencer’s food and a large Boots are also located here, for eateries in Jubilee place, try Wagamama or Nando’s.
