Located in the bustling Gokul Road area of Hubli, Urban Oasis Mall is the largest shopping mall in North Karnataka. Whether you’re looking to shop, dine, or catch a movie, Urban Oasis offers a mix of entertainment and retail therapy under one roof. This post will give you an in-depth guide to what you can expect from this mall, and some areas where it falls short.
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Why Visit Urban Oasis Mall Hubli?
Urban Oasis Mall has been a central shopping hub in Hubli since it opened in 2011. It houses a wide variety of stores and entertainment options, making it a go-to destination for residents of Hubli and nearby areas. The mall is home to 55 brand stores, including popular anchors like Reliance Smart, Pantaloons, and Raymond.
But the mall offers much more than just retail. With a multiplex cinema, ample parking space, and several dining options, it has become a popular spot for families and groups looking for a day out. However, despite its range of options, Urban Oasis is not without its flaws, which we’ll discuss later.
Key Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Gokul Industrial Estate, Gokul Road, Hubballi, Karnataka 580030 |
| Opening Date | 2011 |
| No. of Floors | 5 |
| Total Stores | 55 |
| Anchor Tenants | 17 |
| Multiplex | Cinepolis, 5 screens, 1255 seating capacity |
| Food Court Capacity | 100 pax |
| Parking | Multi-floor parking, over 300 cars |
| Phone Number | 080 2235 2828 |
Shopping at Urban Oasis Mall
One of the key reasons people visit Urban Oasis Mall is for its diverse range of stores. From fashion to electronics, the mall has something for everyone. If you’re into watches, you’ll be delighted to know that the mall houses a Titan World store as well as Horizon Watch Bay, a multi-brand watch store that offers collections from Fastrack, Casio, Calvin Klein (CK), Rado, Seiko, Tissot, and more.
Horizon Watch Bay also carries an excellent range of sunglasses, with popular brands like Ray-Ban, Fastrack, and Oakley on display.
For those looking to stock up on household essentials or groceries, Reliance Smart offers a convenient one-stop solution. And if you’re into fashion, you’ll find stores like Pantaloons, Reliance Trends, and Peter England.
Notable Stores
- Fashion & Accessories: Pantaloons, Woodland, Peter England, Reliance Trends, VIP
- Watches & Sunglasses: Titan World, Horizon Watch Bay (Fastrack, CK, Rado, Ray-Ban)
- Electronics: HP World, Dell, Lenovo, ISUZU Computers
- Groceries: Reliance Smart
Dining at Urban Oasis Mall
The mall’s food court offers a decent variety of fast food and beverages. Some popular outlets include KFC, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s, but don’t expect a huge range of local or Indian options.
However, the food court operates on a token-based system, which has been criticized for being cumbersome. Many customers have complained about poor service when purchasing tokens, and the process can feel like a hassle, especially during peak hours.
One particularly frustrating incident involved a customer whose payment was processed via GPay, but the food court refused to issue tokens, citing an EDC machine malfunction.
Food & Beverage Options
- Fast Food: KFC, Domino’s, Pizza Hut
- Local & International Flavors: Kamat Foods, Ching’s, Punjabi Foods (mostly closed)
- Drinks & Desserts: Seven Beans Coffee, Coolberryz, Pepsi Epic
Cinepolis: A Mixed Bag
Urban Oasis is also home to Cinepolis, a 5-screen multiplex offering a decent movie experience. The sound and picture quality are good, but not without issues. For example, Screen 5 has been known to leak during heavy rains, which is obviously not ideal.
Additionally, while Cinepolis offers comfortable seating, the “premium” seats don’t live up to their name. Unlike PVR Cinemas, where premium seats are genuinely spacious and luxurious, Cinepolis just offers slightly better positioning in the auditorium for the same price.
If you are particular about sound quality during movies, you might want to explore other theaters in Hubli, as Cinepolis has been reported to lower sound levels, which dulls the movie experience. This is particularly noticeable during action films or movies with rich soundtracks.
Ambience & Cleanliness: Room for Improvement
While the mall is generally well-maintained, cleanliness has been a recurring issue. Multiple visitors have pointed out that the mall is losing its charm, with cobwebs, poorly maintained washrooms, and broken lifts being common complaints. On top of that, parking is often a hassle due to frequent repair work near the parking areas.
One of the major concerns that has persisted for 3-4 years is the unbearable stench in the parking lot, particularly around the lift area. It’s an issue that has left many visitors frustrated, as it severely impacts the overall experience. I mean, no one expects to walk into a mall parking area and be hit by a smell so bad, it makes you want to leave. If the management doesn’t address this, it’s going to continue turning people away.
Moreover, despite the mall’s convenient location and decent retail options, its declining cleanliness and the lack of proper maintenance in essential areas like washrooms and lifts can make your visit feel far less enjoyable than it should be. Given that the mall has been around for a while, these basic improvements are long overdue.
Security staff have also come under fire for their lack of customer service. One particularly bizarre incident involved a security guard from Hosur, who refused entry through the out-gate even after being informed about a malfunction at the in-gate.
Tough Competition on the Horizon: Inorbit Mall
Very soon, a new mall will be inaugurated just a stone’s throw away from Urban Oasis Mall – Inorbit Mall, and it has already sparked curiosity among the locals. Many are excited for its launch, and it’s set to bring in some stiff competition.
With Inorbit Mall coming up, Urban Oasis Mall will need to seriously step up its game. If they don’t focus on improving the overall cleanliness, enhancing customer service, and fixing the parking issues, they could face a significant drop in footfall. Urban Oasis has had its time in the spotlight, but with new, modern shopping complexes arriving, it’ll need to adapt or risk being left behind.
Upgrading their food court offerings, providing better maintenance of facilities, and ensuring that their security staff are trained in customer service would be good starting points to retain customers in the face of rising competition. After all, shoppers today expect more than just retail – they want a pleasant, hassle-free experience.
What Could Be Improved
- Food Court Management: The token system can be simplified or replaced with a more modern solution. Staff attitude and customer service also need immediate attention.
- Parking Issues: The constant repair work near the parking area makes it inconvenient for visitors. This should be addressed more proactively.
- Screen Maintenance at Cinepolis: Issues like sound levels and screen quality need to be fixed to keep up with the competition from other multiplexes like PVR.
- Cleanliness & Facility Upkeep: More attention should be paid to the cleanliness of the mall, especially in the washrooms and food court areas.
Pros and Cons of Urban Oasis Mall, Hubli
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Wide variety of stores, from FMCG to electronics, clothing, and accessories. | ❌ The food court token system is inefficient, and service could be friendlier. |
| ✔ Ample parking space for over 300 cars. | ❌ Security staff have been reported to be rude and unhelpful. |
| ✔ Family-friendly environment with a kids’ play zone and gaming options. | ❌ Cleanliness and maintenance issues, especially in washrooms and lifts. |
| ✔ Cinepolis offers a decent movie experience with Dolby sound and comfortable seating. | ❌ Cinepolis premium seats are not as spacious or luxurious as other theaters like PVR. |
| ✔ Conveniently located near major transport hubs like the bus stand and airport. | ❌ Parking repairs are frequently an issue, creating inconvenience for visitors. |
Final Thoughts
Urban Oasis Mall may have once been the crown jewel of Hubli’s shopping scene, but it’s showing signs of wear and tear. While it still offers a good variety of stores, dining options, and entertainment facilities, issues like poor service, maintenance problems, and lack of cleanliness take away from the experience.
If you’re in Hubli and looking for a place to shop, watch a movie, or grab a bite to eat, Urban Oasis Mall is still worth a visit—but temper your expectations. The mall needs some serious upgrades to keep up with new competitors like PVR and Inox, but for now, it remains a decent option for a day out.
