The Ashley Centre isn’t the biggest shopping centre, nor is it one that people from afar know about, and it doesn’t pretend to be.
It’s not the glossiest place that tries to compete with Bluewater in Kent or The Bentall Centre in Kingston.
The Ashley Centre is a dependable, familiar, and surprisingly lively centre for a centre that opened back in 1984.
What it lacks in sheer size, it makes up for in variety, charm, and that steady sense of community you only get in towns that haven’t lost their footing.
Stepping inside, I was immediately met with the usual flow of people who treat the centre not just as a place to shop but as a route through town.
Some were rushing in from the cold, others drifting from one store to the next, and a few simply wandering.
On either side of the entrances sit Starbucks and Gail’s, two spots that always seem to be doing well, especially on chilly days when the queues grow almost instinctively.
The range of shops hits that sweet spot between everyday usefulness and the kind of browsing that keeps a town centre interesting.
There’s Deichmann, TGI Jones, Pandora, and the little florist stall that has remained a fixture in the shopping centre for years.
The florist is one of those places you can rely on for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any moment that needs a quick bunch of flowers.
One of the most noticeable things about the centre is what isn’t there: empty units.
At a time when many shopping centres are plagued with shuttered fronts and “to let” signs, the Ashley Centre stands out.
There are barely any unused shops, and instead new ones are coming.
The biggest on the horizon is Primark, set to open in spring 2026.
This Primark store has been spoken about since 2023 and is something locals have been waiting ages for, particularly because the closest one to here would be the one in Kingston.
In the heart of the centre sits the Christmas tree, where a small stage is set up nearby and ready for the children’s activities, the grotto, and whatever seasonal events the centre rolls out each year.
Whoever is in charge of the decorations deserves credit, as they’re always bold, glowing, and done with a kind of care some places don’t bother with anymore.
Above Sports Direct hangs a shimmering ornament, part-angel, part-star, catching the lights from every angle.
The range of stores continues further down the centre with The Works, Card Factory, M&S, Waitrose, Toy Barnhaus, and the beloved Hattie’s Sweet Shop.
Jones Bootmaker is sadly closing at the end of the month, with a closing-down sale in full swing.
Upstairs, the second floor opens into Barnes & Fadden.
This area used to be a McDonald’s, so once upon a time, Epsom had two branches within five minutes of each other.
The layout up here gives you a good view across the entire centre, especially down towards the coffee shops and the flow of people moving in and out of Waitrose and M&S under the same roof.
Towards the exit stands the Quest, a spiritual and gift shop that feels like an entirely different world.
Walking inside is like stepping into that room you go into after a spa or massage, with an atmosphere that instantly quiets the mind.
It’s one of those unique spots that gives the Ashley Centre personality, ensuring it isn’t just a copy-and-paste retail space.
Outside, The Assembly Rooms Wetherspoon sits right next door, and just ahead is Epsom Market, where the regular markets take place beneath the Clock Tower.
The closeness means the Ashley Centre naturally feeds into the rhythm of the town, with shoppers drifting in and out, grabbing bags, picking up coffees, wandering between the centre and the square without ever feeling like they’re leaving one environment for another.
I’ve never thought of the Ashley Centre as flashy or groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be.
In a year where I’ve covered retail decline, stepping into a centre where the shops are full, the atmosphere is warm, and the future includes new openings rather than closures feels like a breath of fresh air.
The Ashley Centre is open from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday.
