Shopping in Port Elizabeth

Nelson Mandela Bay is a serious shopper’s paradise and caters for every desire!

Specialty and antique shops abound; scattered at interesting sites around the city. The tree-lined streets accommodate businesses, private homes and the most interesting array of shops, all co-existing in perfect harmony. Some shops specialize only in fresh flowers, ceramics, second-hand books and clothes. Most of the antique shops prevail in the historical area of Central Port Elizabeth along Rink, Parliament and Lawrence Streets, as well as Clyde Street, Pearson Street and Westbourne Road. In Uitenhage, notable antique haunts are located along Cuyler, John & Caledon Streets. Diamond and gold jewellery, including a wide range of specially designed and handmade old jewellery, are available at different jewellery shops throughout the Bay.

Original, traditional and attractive mementoes and souvenirs are available throughout the Bay. The more informal shopper can visit the flea market and “Art-in-the-Park” every first Sunday of the month in St George’s Park.

Visitors who prefer to do shopping in air-conditioned shopping malls have different options to choose from.

The Bridge Shopping and Entertainment Centre, extending over C.J. Langenhoven Drive, is reputed to be the second longest under one roof in South Africa when associated with the adjoining Greenacres Shopping Centre. This up-market centre is one of the Bay’s newer and more unusual centres, hosting cinemas, hi-tech computerised games, banking facilities, a food court with restaurants, coffee shops and fast food eating establishments, as well as trendy fashion malls.

The Greenacres side of the mall, found on Ring Road, provides branches of large, well-known chain stores, smaller novelty and speciality shops, jewellery shops, banking facilities, a food court with coffee shops, restaurants and fast food outlets, as well as many clothing boutiques. The modern, air-conditioned Greenacres Entertainment Centre in Ring Road offers fun for the whole family.

Known as the “Cosmopolitan Centre”, Walmer Park Shopping and Entertainment Centre, located in Main Road, Walmer, is one of Port Elizabeth’s most up-market retail shopping complexes and is favoured amongst locals in the surrounding residential areas. The Centre offers shoppers easy access to all the amenities within the complex, including the movie theatre, a variety of hardware, book, jewellery shops, restaurants, coffee shops and fast-food outlets as well as clothing boutiques and branches of large well-known chain stores.

Pier 14 Shopping Centre, centrally located in 444 Govan Mbeki Avenue, North End, has been innovatively decorated along a “fun-nautical” theme, even the elevator has been designed as a sub-marine! Pier 14 offers fashionable clothing boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants as well as novelty gift shops.

In 2008, the Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre opened its doors. The exclusive boutiques, chic décor stores and distinctive restaurants offer a whole new approach to lifestyle living. Located on the corner of Main Road, Walmer and the William Moffett Expressway, this centre epitomises comfort, luxury and leisure.

Other popular centres around the city include Walker Drive Shopping Centre, Sunridge Park Shopping Centre and William Moffet Retail Park – to name but a few!

Most shops are open from 08h00 to 17h00 weekdays with extended shopping hours on Saturdays and Sundays and during the festive season.

Reference:

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism