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Giant shopping centre is opened Giant shopping centre is opened
(10 minutes later)
Europe's biggest inner-city shopping complex has opened in west London. Large crowds have gathered at the opening of Europe's biggest inner-city shopping complex in west London.
The Westfield Shopping Centre, in White City, boasts more than 1.6m sq ft of space - or about 30 football pitches - and cost more than £1.5bn to build. The Westfield Shopping Centre, in White City, boasts more than 1.6m sq ft of space - or about 30 football pitches.
Westfield is the UK's third largest shopping centre after Gateshead's MetroCentre and Bluewater in Kent.Westfield is the UK's third largest shopping centre after Gateshead's MetroCentre and Bluewater in Kent.
Crowds had gathered at the centre ahead of the opening. Singer Leona Lewis and London mayor Boris Johnson will officially open the complex later. Tens of thousands of people are expected throughout the day. Mayor Boris Johnson and singer Leona Lewis will officially open the complex later.
About 80% of the retail units are fashion stores.About 80% of the retail units are fashion stores.
There are also about 50 restaurants and a multi-screen cinema.There are also about 50 restaurants and a multi-screen cinema.
Gridlock fearsGridlock fears
Among the 265 retail units are many of the UK's high street giants, including Debenhams, Next, Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser and Waitrose.Among the 265 retail units are many of the UK's high street giants, including Debenhams, Next, Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser and Waitrose.
About 80% are fashion-focused, with the site featuring 40 luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Prada housed in a boutique-style area called The Village.About 80% are fashion-focused, with the site featuring 40 luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Prada housed in a boutique-style area called The Village.
Mary Portas, star of TV show Mary Queen of Shops, said the centre heralded a new approach for UK retail centres.Mary Portas, star of TV show Mary Queen of Shops, said the centre heralded a new approach for UK retail centres.
"The juxtaposition of luxury, high street and even supermarket, nobody has actually done that before but it makes enormous sense," she told BBC News."The juxtaposition of luxury, high street and even supermarket, nobody has actually done that before but it makes enormous sense," she told BBC News.
I think the scale of it feels like we're in a mini town Mary Portas, star of TV show Mary Queen of ShopsI think the scale of it feels like we're in a mini town Mary Portas, star of TV show Mary Queen of Shops
"I think the scale of it feels like we're in a mini town.""I think the scale of it feels like we're in a mini town."
Currently 99% of the retail space has been let, with 80-90% of the building open for the launch.Currently 99% of the retail space has been let, with 80-90% of the building open for the launch.
The centre took 13 million man hours to build, has 96 escalators and is expected to have created about 7,000 jobs - with 1,000 going to local residents.The centre took 13 million man hours to build, has 96 escalators and is expected to have created about 7,000 jobs - with 1,000 going to local residents.
Bosses estimate 21 million people will visit the centre each year.Bosses estimate 21 million people will visit the centre each year.
There have been warnings from local politicians that the centre's popularity could cause gridlock in the White City and Shepherd's Bush areas as shoppers visit the site and vie for parking spaces.There have been warnings from local politicians that the centre's popularity could cause gridlock in the White City and Shepherd's Bush areas as shoppers visit the site and vie for parking spaces.