Westfield Stratford City opens its doors
Westfield Stratford City, the retail development next to the Olympic Park in east London, today opens its doors to the public.
The £1.45b development is the largest urban shopping centre in Europe, featuring 300 shops and restaurants across 177,000sq m.
Like its sister development, Westfield London in White City, the new centre is divided into four distinct dining areas: the external Southern Boulevard and Chestnut Plaza, the Balcony and mezzanine Loft areas and a lower ground floor food court, as well as a new Great Eastern Market, featuring a range of specialist food retail and delicatessens as well as a cookery demonstration area.
In total Westfield Stratford City will be home to 70 dining outlets, including a number of brand-new concepts such as Cabana, Pizza Luxe, Rhythm Kitchen and Indi-Go.
Among the operators signed for the Southern Boulevard and Chestnut Plaza, offering views of the Olympic Park, is a fifth London outlet for Jamie Oliver's high-street brand Jamie's Italian; Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby's fourth Wahaca Mexican restaurant; and a new gastropub from Geronimo Inns called the Cow, all of which already operate restaurants at Westfield London. Newcomers include the Ignite Group, which is opening its third Bumpkin outlet, and Balans bar and café.
Meanwhile, inside Westfield Stratford City is the Balcony area featuring a range of kiosk-style dining outlets, many of which are already represented at the original Westfield. These include Pascal Aussignac and Vincent Labeyrie's Chip & Fish; Tony Kitous's Comptoir Libanais; salad bar Tossed; Yo! Sushi; and Caffé Concerto. Other operators here will include pizza group Franco Manca; Indigo; Tortilla; Lotus Leaf and Rosa's.
As at Westfield London, there will also be a mezzanine Loft area below the cinema, home to brands including Wagamama, Giraffe and Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
Additionally a lower ground floor food court is home to fast-food outlets such as McDonald's, Subway and KFC, as well as Sticky Rice; Crêpe Affair, Caribbean Scene and Olive Oil and Oregano.
Tracey Mills from Davis Coffer Lyons, exclusive food and beverage adviser to Westfield, said: "We couldn't be more delighted with the range of operators secured at Westfield Stratford City. The centre presents the next chapter in London's most innovative dining concepts which are a real focal point for the scheme."
Westfield Stratford City is 10% larger than its sister site in west London and features an "industrial" look to reflect its east London location. Next to the many retailers and food operators, it will also include a 17-screen Vue cinema, Aspers casino and a bowling alley as well as a permanent art gallery.
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By Kerstin Kühn
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