This open status has turned the Stratford Centre into a de facto homeless shelter,[4] while also attracting an overnight subculture of skateboarders.

[6] In January 2018, another evening attack with a noxious substance took place in the plaza at the entrance of Stratford Centre, during an altercation between youths and homeless people; five victims were treated on site and three others were transported to hospital.

[8] Stores include: Barclays, Boots, Burger King, Iceland (supernarket), British Heart Foundation, Card Factory, CeX, C. & J. Clark, Costa Coffee, EE, Greggs, Halifax, Holland & Barrett, HSBC, KFC, McDonald's, O2 Store, Poundland, PureGym, Sainsbury's, Shoe Zone, Specsavers, Starbucks, Subway, Superdrug, Taco Bell, The Body Shop, The Perfume Shop, Wendy's, The Works, and Warren James Jewellers.

It is classed as a public highway and by law is kept open 24 hours a day, though most of the shops along the West Mall close at night.

There is also a multi-storey car park which is open 24 hours a day and linked via lifts and stairwell in the West Mall.