I paid a rare visit to my local shopping centre in Poole the other day.
I was told I could probably purchase the trainers I need for my marathon walk there, but when I got to the JD Sports store that allegedly stocked them, I found it didn’t have them, or indeed very much at all, really.
In fact, there were lots of empty stores in the centre, and the whole experience was dingy and gloomy - right down to the annoying car park machine that only took cash.
I mean, what the f*ck is cash any more? It might as well have asked me to pay by goat!
It would be easy to get caught up in feeling sad that our town centres are so sh*t these days compared to how they used to be.
Poole shopping centre is tired and old. It’s been there since 1969. I remember visiting it as a child and being promised I could play on Hippo, Turtle and Whale if I didn’t kick off in the shops.
I bloody loved those things!
They were big wooden sculptures you could climb on and through, and they were taken away for health and safety reasons in 1997, meaning my youngest child never got to meet them.
Tragic.
I’ve never enjoyed shopping, and since understanding more about ADHD I believe my dislike of shops comes from how the traits show up in me - specifically, I find the noise and brightness of shops draining, and my brain fries when I’m presented with too much choice and too many people.
I literally feel like a frustrated child when I’m shopping. I’d rather be sliding around on a wooden hippo.
Which is why I was very happy to hear Poole shopping centre is about to be redeveloped and there’s going to be a big play centre put in for kids.
I mean, from looking at the plans it’ll be an intense noisy, brightly lit place that I’ll probably need earplugs and dark glasses on to bear, but at least the centre will have some life to it again - a place of fun where kids can let off steam.
It’s like the ghosts of Hippo, Turtle and Whale have swept through the centre and destroyed all the shops in an act of vengeance against the adults who banished them.
And I like it!
As we lament the passing of our shopping centres and high streets, it’s always worth remembering that for every loser there’s a winner.
People who either disliked the traditional shopping experience or found it hard to physically access shops are now served better by online shopping.
Looking for the plus side, and for opportunities that exist where losses happen is an excellent way to keep your head in a positive place.
Don’t get caught up in moaning and doom-mongering, because you’ll always find something to feel grateful for if you look hard enough.