Whiteley in Hampshire over 90 percent let

British Land’s new Whiteley shopping centre, which is due

to open next month, has confirmed that it is now 91 percent let after securing 15 new tenants including Fat Face and Jones Bootmaker.

The 320,000 square foot Hampshire development, one of only three UK shopping and leisure schemes opening this year, will be anchored by a 60,000 square foot Marks & Spencer and will also include fashion retailers Topshop, Next, H&M, River Island, Mamas and Papas, and Claire’s.

In addition to the new 15 tenants, Whiteley, which is a joint venture by British Land and Universities Superannuation Scheme, has also announced that a further 13 units are in solicitors’ hands.

Claire Barber, head of shopping centre asset management for British Land, said: "We are in a really strong position with four weeks to go until opening. We have secured a unique line up with a clear focus on fashion, food and beverage and local, independent retailers, creating a real point of difference for our customers.”

The development, which is situated between the two harbour cities of Portsmouth and Southampton, has a catchment of 1.2 million people with an estimated 3.1 billion pounds potential spend.