The largest Albert Heijn in Flanders is one of the eye-catchers in Malinas. — © AH
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The opening weekend of Malinas attracts a lot of interest. So much so that the police had to close the access road to the new shopping park in Mechelen on Saturday. At one point there was a traffic jam up to the N16.
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Sven Van Haezendonck
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Malinas, a retail park with names such as Albert Heijn XL, Lidl and Jysk, opened its doors to the public last Thursday. A lot of people came immediately, but with the extended weekend, the shopping park attracts even more visitors. On Saturday afternoon, the parking lot with nine hundred places was completely full and that made itself felt. Initially, cars were still queuing on the service road, but a little later also on the N16.
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“Everyone wants to come and see”
Because the flow of traffic was compromised, the police took action at 2.30 pm. “Our people have contacted the manager of the retail park,” said Dirk Van de Sande, spokesman for the Mechelen-Willebroek police. It was then decided to close the Nora Tilleylaan, the access road to Malinas, for about an hour.
–Malinas, a few weeks before the opening. — © Joris Herregods
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“Around 3.30 pm there was again enough oxygen to allow traffic to the shopping park again,” says Van de Sande. At Malinas, they are not surprised by the large crowd. “If there wasn’t a lot of interest during the opening weekend, we should be worried”, says Jan Du Bois of Mitiska Reim, owner of Malinas. “Everyone wants to come and have a look and the weather might also play a part.”
“Enough space”
The parking lot was overcrowded, but according to Du Bois, the crowds were not felt in the shops themselves. “In the nineteen shops and the restaurant Maneblusser City there is enough space to accommodate many visitors,” says Du Bois. The shopping park encourages visitors from Mechelen to come by bicycle. There are four hundred covered bicycle sheds. Malinas is easily accessible by bicycle from the Vrouwvliet route via a bridge and via a tunnel from the towpath along the Dijle.
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You can combine a visit to Malinas with the historic city center of Mechelen. The car-free shopping streets have a lot of nice shops and catering establishments of local traders. You have taste market De Vleeshalle and recently the most beautiful city cinema in Flanders has also been established in the city centre, Cinema Lumière Mechelen.
There is also a weekly market on Saturday mornings and a free shopping shuttle from P&R Nekker on Saturdays and shopping Sundays. The center is also easily accessible by train.
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