Shopping Malls and Centers: Brent Cross shopping centre is a staple of North West London. It's been going since 1976 and was the first stand alone shopping centre in the UK. In the late seventies and early eighties it really was unique and was a huge treat to go there as a child, to buy your new school shoes, or Christmas shopping with Mum. The gigantic Christmas tree in the centre of the building would grow up alongside the escalators, so as a child, as you climbed the floors you would always have a bit of Christmas tree to examine. At other times of year, the great big light displays in the centre would also fascinate and glitter as you made your way towards the mecca of department stores. There are now 2000 brands in this shopping mall, and more than 120 shops.
