Definitive opening hours of shopping centres near Portsmouth this Christmas - and the one which might catch you out over parking
Shopping centres will be filled to the brim over the next week with last-minute present-buying for Christmas.
Many of the shopping centres have been adjusting their opening hours - many opening for longer - including closing early on Christmas Day. And one shopping centre has also recently moved over to ticketless car parking which has really thrown a spanner in the works for many.
Here is the definitive guide to the shopping centre opening times and car parking arrangements over the Christmas and New Year period so that you do not get caught out - with three shopping centres closed on New Year’s Day as well.
Just remember that some individual shops may decide to have their own different hours, so check before you travel!
Cascades Shopping Centre, Portsmouth
- Monday, December 22 -8am to 7pm
- Tuesday, December 23 - 8am – 7pm
- Christmas Eve - 8am to 4.30pm
- Christmas Day - closed
- Boxing Day - 8am to 6pm
- New Year’s Eve - 8am to 4.30pm
- New Year’s Day - 8am to 4.30pm
There is a covered car park within the Cascades and you pay on exit.
Whiteley Shopping Centre
- Monday, December 22 - 9am - 7pm
- Tuesday, December 23 - 9am - 7pm
- Christmas Eve - 9am to 5pm
- Christmas Day - closed
- Boxing Day - 9am to 7pm
- New Year’s Eve - 9am to 5pm
- New Year’s Day - 10.30am to 4.30pm
Parking is free for four hours, or £2 for six hours in all car parks - except Tesco (four hour maximum stay) until 6pm and Market Square ( one hour only – appointment only). Free parking from 6pm to midnight in all carparks.
Fareham Shopping Centre
- Monday, December 22 - 9am to 5.30pm
- Tuesday, December 23 - 9am to 5.30pm
- Christmas Eve - 9am – 5.30pm
- Christmas Day - closed
- Boxing Day - 10am – 4pm
- New Year’s Eve - 9am – 5.30pm
- New Year’s Day - closed
There is a covered carpark within the shopping centre and you pay on exit.
Meridian Shopping Centre, Havant
- Monday December 22 - 9am to 5.30pm
- Tuesday December 23 - 9am to 5.30pm
- Christmas Eve - 8am to 4.30pm
- Christmas Day - Closed
- Boxing Day - 9.30am to 4.30pm
- New Year’s Eve - 8am to 4.30pm
- New Year’s Day - closed (apart from Costa which is open 10am to 4pm)
There is covered pay and display parking within the shopping centre.
Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
- Monday, December 22 - 9am to 8pm
- Tuesday, December 23 - 9am to 8pm
- Christmas Eve - 9am – 5pm
- Christmas Day - closed
- Boxing Day - 9am – 8pm
- New Year’s Eve - 9am – 5pm
- New Year’s Day - 9am to 6pm
There is a covered carpark within the shopping centre and you pay on exit.
West Quay, Southampton
- Monday December 22 - 9am to 9pm
- Tuesday December 23 - 9am to 9pm
- Christmas Eve - 9am to 6pm
- Christmas Day - Closed
- Boxing Day - 9am to 6pm
- December 27 - 9am to 9pm
- New Year’s Eve - 9am to 6pm
- New Year’s Day - closed
Since October West Quay moved over to ticketless. You need to scan a QR code which is displayed at the carpark to make your payment. However many shoppers have reported problems getting a signal on their phones to pay and have had to pay outside before heading back to their cars. This has especially caught out shoppers who do not visit the shopping centre regularly. You can register in advance which makes the process a little smoother: www.westquay.co.uk/getting-here