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Westfield Stratford City shopping centre opens | Westfield Stratford City shopping centre opens |
(40 minutes later) | |
Thousands of people queued to snap up special offers at the opening of Europe's largest urban shopping centre. | Thousands of people queued to snap up special offers at the opening of Europe's largest urban shopping centre. |
Shoppers ran towards the stores as the doors to Westfield Stratford City, located next to the Olympic Park in east London, were opened. | Shoppers ran towards the stores as the doors to Westfield Stratford City, located next to the Olympic Park in east London, were opened. |
The £1.45bn complex houses more than 300 shops, 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 shops, 70 restaurants, a 14-screen cinema, three hotels, a bowling alley and the UK's largest casino. |
It will provide the main access to the Olympic park for the 2012 Games. | It will provide the main access to the Olympic park for the 2012 Games. |
Pop star Nicole Scherzinger performed at an official opening ceremony hosted by Pixie Geldof and Nick Grimshaw. | Pop star Nicole Scherzinger performed at an official opening ceremony hosted by Pixie Geldof and Nick Grimshaw. |
London Mayor Boris Johnson was also present and was only metres away when a metal roof tile fell and smashed on the floor, BBC London reporter Jason Rosam said. | London Mayor Boris Johnson was also present and was only metres away when a metal roof tile fell and smashed on the floor, BBC London reporter Jason Rosam said. |
A spokeswoman for the centre said this happened in "an empty part of the mall". | |
"No-one was touched and the area has already been cleared," she added. | |
Jobs created | |
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 signed autographs when they opened Next's new store. | Olympians including synchronised swimmer Jenna Randall and rower Andy Triggs-Hodge signed autographs when they opened Next's new store. |
And Olympic medallist Colin Jackson launched the first Lloyds TSB branch since 2004. Customers were able to have their photo taken with the 2012 Olympic Torch. | And Olympic medallist Colin Jackson launched the first Lloyds TSB branch since 2004. Customers were 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 showing 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 showing 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." |
Mr Johnson said the project was "setting the pace for the transformation of east London". | Mr 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." |