The big picture: Westfield Stratford City and Premier Inn London Stratford open
Published: 13/09/2011 - Filed under: News »
Australian shopping centre group Westfield has opened its second complex in London, and the largest urban shopping centre in Europe, located next to Stratford International station and the Olympic Park.
The £1.45 billion Westfield Stratford City development features a total of 1.9 million square feet of retail and leisure space, with over 300 shops and 70 food and beverage outlets.
The site will also offer three hotels by the time of the London 2012 Olympics, with the Premier Inn London Stratford opening today, and Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites properties set to open next year.
Westfield opened its first London shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush in 2008, and this second complex on the opposite side of the capital was officially opened by mayor Boris Johnson, with hosting by Pixie Geldof and Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, and music from Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.
The centre features a 400-metre pillarless curved shopping arcade over three levels, anchored by John Lewis at one end and Marks and Spencer's at the other, with glass roofing providing natural light.
Retail brands include Hugo Boss, Topshop, River Island, Timberland, Superdry, Lacoste, Esprit and Next, while F&B outlets include Jamie's Italian, Searcy's Champagne Bar, Wagamama, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Las Iguanas, Giraffe and TGI Friday's.
The centre also features a 17-screen Vue cinema, an All Star Lanes bowling alley, and, from December, the 65,000 square feet Aspers Casino, with two bars, a restaurant and an outdoor terrace offering views of the Olympic stadium.
The centre was extremely busy on opening day, and all rooms are booked for the next few days at the Premier Inn property. Unsurprisingly the hotel is also fully booked during the Olympic Games next year, although rooms are apparently still available during the subsequent Paralympic Games.
The hotel is located directly opposite the entrance to Stratford International, which should help attract both leisure and business travellers to the property.
Southeastern operates High Speed services from St Pancras International station to Stratford International, with journey times of around seven minutes, although note that oyster pay-as-yougo cards are not valid on this line.
Stratford Regional station (located about 400 metres from Stratford International) is served by National Express East Anglia and London Overground, as well as Central and Jubilee underground services and the Docklands Light Railway. The Premier Inn property features 267 rooms, with views of either the station, or (far more appealing), of the Olympic Stadium and Canary Wharf, and the Shard further in the distance. Views from floor ten (as shown in the slideshow above) are particularly impressive.
Reception is on floor 1, with several self-service check-in kiosks, and Thyme Bar and restaurant, offering all-day dining including an all-you-can-eat breakfast for £7.99. An official opening event for the hotel is set for September 21.
For more information visit uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity, premierinn.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
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