Hammerson has confirmed that Highcross, the £350m shopping and leisure destination being developed in partnership with Hermes in Leicester will open to the public on 4 September 2008.
Work on the million-sq ft scheme began in January 2006 and features a number of iconic buildings, including the stainless steel façade of Cinema de Lux and the eye-catching John Lewis designed by Foreign Office Architects.
Highcross will absorb the existing Shires shopping centre to create a fashion, entertainment and catering line-up that will propel Leicester into a top 10 UK retail destination, and re-invigorate the city's evening economy.
Aspirational retailers, including All Saints, Zara, Cruise, Hobbs and Hugo Boss, are just some of the major fashion brands that will be on offer at Highcross, supported by existing anchor stores House of Fraser and Debenhams, as well as the new flagship four-storey John Lewis store.
And in the latest tranche of lettings Denim urban wear retailer G-Star is to open a 3,000-sq ft store, while young fashion brand Henleys is to open a 2,250-sq ft store. French sporting label Lacoste is to open a 2,750-sq ft store, and British fashion brand Ghost is to open in 1,000 sq ft.
Sheila King, head of retail leasing for Hammerson, said: "Retailers have been consistently impressed with the urban renewal taking place in Leicester. With the new retail, leisure and cultural offer, the city will present visitors with a well rounded destination, which is vital in attracting a more widespread and loyal consumer base for retailers."
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