Westfield Shopping Centre On Schedule In London

Despite the current economic turmoil and "global property market corrections", as I heard US Treasury Secretary Henry Poulson call it recently, London's biggest shopping centre is set to open on schedule this month.

The project, Westfield Shopping Mall at White City in west London, will boast such tennants as Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Next amongst a roll call of over 265 retailers.It also hails the first outings in a UK shopping centre for Louis Vuitton , Tiffany and Westfield London.

According to Michael Gutman, head of Europe for Westfield. "The idea is to create a destination , a city within a city...We want to be third on the list for shoppers after Selfridges and Harrods."

Described as a cross between Bond Street and Bluewater, there are more than 265 stores, including 50 luxury brands in a separate internal area called The Village with about 50 dining options, and a 14-screen cinema and entertainment complex.

Those of us willing to pay a little extra will enjoy valet parking and then personal shopping assistants .while new tube stations, a train station and road improvements are aimed at getting shoppers to the centre as smoothly as possible.