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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Westfield Stratford City shopping centre opens | Westfield Stratford City shopping centre opens |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Europe's largest urban shopping centre has opened in east London. | Europe's largest urban shopping centre has opened in east London. |
| Westfield Stratford City is located next to the Olympic Park and will provide the main access to the site for the Games in 2012. | Westfield Stratford City is located next to the Olympic Park and will provide the main access to the site for the Games in 2012. |
| The £1.45bn complex houses more than 300 stores, 70 restaurants, a 14-screen cinema, three hotels, a bowling alley and the UK's largest casino. | The £1.45bn complex houses more than 300 stores, 70 restaurants, a 14-screen cinema, three hotels, a bowling alley and the UK's largest casino. |
| Pixie Geldof and Nick Grimshaw hosted the official opening at which pop star Nicole Scherzinger was to perform. | |
| People began queuing outside the centre at least two hours before most shops opened at 10:00 BST. | People began queuing outside the centre at least two hours before most shops opened at 10:00 BST. |
| Olympians including synchronised swimmer Jenna Randall and rower Andy Triggs-Hodge will be signing autographs when they open Next's new store. | Olympians including synchronised swimmer Jenna Randall and rower Andy Triggs-Hodge will be signing autographs when they open Next's new store. |
| Large screens | Large screens |
| And Olympic medallist Colin Jackson will launch the first Lloyds TSB branch since 2004. Customers will be able to have their photo taken with the 2012 Olympic Torch. | And Olympic medallist Colin Jackson will launch the first Lloyds TSB branch since 2004. Customers will be able to have their photo taken with the 2012 Olympic Torch. |
| So far 95% of the centre has been let. It is claimed that up to 8,500 permanent jobs will be created by the retail sector. | So far 95% of the centre has been let. It is claimed that up to 8,500 permanent jobs will be created by the retail sector. |
| The complex will provide the main access to the Olympic Park and large screens will be displayed along the centre's walkways to show the main sporting events. | The complex will provide the main access to the Olympic Park and large screens will be displayed along the centre's walkways to show the main sporting events. |
| Bill Giouroukos, director of operations at Westfield, said: "The retail mix we are putting in place at Stratford will be the next chapter in retail development for London." | Bill Giouroukos, director of operations at Westfield, said: "The retail mix we are putting in place at Stratford will be the next chapter in retail development for London." |
| Mayor of London Boris Johnson said the project was "setting the pace for the transformation of east London". | |
| He said: "It is one of the most important legacies of the 2012 Olympics. | He said: "It is one of the most important legacies of the 2012 Olympics. |
| "It will create 18,000 jobs and, as a result of Westfield's investment, have some of the most modern additions to London's public transport infrastructure." | "It will create 18,000 jobs and, as a result of Westfield's investment, have some of the most modern additions to London's public transport infrastructure." |