Next Purley Way Closing Time
So, there I was, last Saturday, eyes glued to my watch, hands clutching a bag full of books I'd sworn I'd read by the end of the year. It was 8:05 PM, and I was standing outsi...
So, there I was, last Saturday, eyes glued to my watch, hands clutching a bag full of books I'd sworn I'd read by the end of the year. It was 8:05 PM, and I was standing outside Waterstones, wondering why the lights were off and the door was locked. "Closed already?" I muttered, "But it's only 8:05!"
That's when it hit me. The Next Purley Way had changed its closing time. Again.
When Did This Happen?
Now, I'm not one to keep tabs on shopping center hours (who has the time, right?), but I could've sworn they used to stay open till 9 PM on weekends. I mean, isn't that the whole point of weekend shopping - to avoid the weekday crowds and actually enjoy the experience?
Must Read
I whipped out my phone, did a quick search, and there it was, in black and white. The Next Purley Way had indeed changed its closing time. It's now 8 PM on weekends, and 7 PM on weekdays. I felt a mix of surprise and disappointment. Who were they trying to cater to with these new hours?
Why The Change?
I reached out to the Next Purley Way's management, and they were kind enough to explain. It turns out, the change was all about security. They'd noticed a dip in footfall after 7 PM, and with fewer customers around, they wanted to ensure the safety of their staff and remaining shoppers.
Fair enough, I thought. But why not just close at 8 PM on weekdays too? They explained that they wanted to give weekend shoppers a bit more time to browse and buy. Okay, I get it. But still, 8 PM on weekends feels a bit... early.
Next wants to expand its Croydon Purley Way shop and open a Lidl next
What Does This Mean For Us?
Well, if you're a late-night shopper like me, you might need to adjust your plans. The Next Purley Way is now more of a daytime destination. But hey, at least we've still got the morning and early afternoon to enjoy it, right?
And who knows? Maybe this change will encourage us all to be a bit more productive with our time. No more last-minute dashes to the shops, no more impulse buys at 8:30 PM. Maybe we'll finally start using that gym membership we've been paying for, or catch up on that reading we've been meaning to do.
Or maybe, just maybe, we'll find another shopping center that stays open late. After all, a girl's gotta shop, right?
