Olympic City Mega Shopping Center Opens in London

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Europe's largest urban shopping center opens for business in the Olympic Park area of London. Westfield Stratford City hopes to bolster the image of a recession-proof London.

Thousands of people lined up two hours ahead of the shops opening to be the first to experience Europe's largest urban shopping mall -- Westfield Stratford City -- the gateway to the Olympic Park in east London.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and Westfield Group co-founder and Chairman Frank Lowy officially opened the center on Tuesday, cutting the red ribbon under a shower of confetti.

[Frank Lowy, Chairman & Co-founder of the Westfield Group]:
"It will serve the millions of people on the east side of London for generations to come. And it will be a wonderful leisure and retail destination for the Olympic Games next year and beyond."

The 1.4 billion pound development houses more than 300 shops, 70 restaurants, a large cinema, hotels, bowling alley and casino.

It is situated in a deprived area of east London, where unemployment is high.

But the center hopes to attract people from all over the capital and from overseas.

London's Mayor Boris Johnson announced that Eurostar will have coach trips between Paris and London, stopping at Stratfod, to attract continental shoppers.

[Boris Johnson, London Mayor]:
"And I'm told already that people on the Rue de Rivoli and the Montmartre, Montparnasse, all the fancy French shopping districts where Carla Bruni shops, I am told they are already excitedly whispering about 'Le Westfield'."

Despite opening during the 2008 recession, it's been successful.

European economies are faltering and inflation rising to 4.5 percent in the UK, but the Westfield remains confident of success in London's deprived east.

[John Burton, Director, Westfield Stratford City]:
"We've done our homework, we know the capacity here and the fact is that London despite turbulent times across Europe, across the UK, has been incredibly resilient."

Shoppers put all thoughts of a double dip recession behind them on Tuesday, as they thronged the center to watch former Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger perform.

Most were delighted that such a glitzy large center had been built in deprived Stratford, providing 10,000 jobs.

But long term success for Westfield will depend on how many people will spend real money after opening day with free gifts has come and gone.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• NTD
• NTDTV
• Mega Shopping Center
• London
• Olympic Park
• Westfield Stratford
• recession-proof
• Eurostar
• Pussycat Doll
• Nicole Scherzinger

[NewRuss2011]

Olympics! Россия, вперед! :D

[123theJapan]

cannot wait for the Olympics :)

[flowerpuff2001]

Wonderful!