And Still They Come

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Visitors pour into W12 to visit the new Westfield shopping centre

A steady stream of people poured into the new Westfield shopping centre today (October 30) and by lunchtime, the 'mega-mall' was packed.

Visitors gathered around the stage in the spacious Atrium and crowded onto the balconies above to watch live fashion shows and a performance by X-Factor star, Leona Lewis.

Westfield Group chairman, Frank Lowy, shrugged off the economic downturn as he addressed the crowds: “I have 50 years' experience in shopping centres and business cycles come and go and my experience tells me that this cycle shall pass,” he said.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who appeared on stage next, expressed a similar sentiment, saying he was sure the shopping centre would still be around after "this recession, the next recession and the one after that".

“I think there are a great deal of people sitting on piles of money out there willing to invest in these shops,” he said before cutting the ribbon to officially open the centre.

Those who do have "piles of money" will have to wait: in the much touted 'Village' section of the mall, where high-end designer brands are based, only 11 of the 40 stores had launched.

Watch and jewellery store, DM London, was one of the few which was open for business. "It'll be nice to have some neighbours," said a member of staff. Westfield say The Village will not open completely until the spring.

However it is worth visiting The Village just to gawp at the four, jaw-dropping chandeliers which together are made up of 7,000 crystals. "They're lovely, I like them," said shopper Catherine, who had come from Luton for the opening. "I love shopping," she added. "I thought I'd come and have a look today. It's heaven for me."

Other parts of the mall which are yet to open include the cinema, spa and gym, while the lifts near Debenhams were out of action today due to teething trouble. Many parents were seen carrying their pushchairs up the long flight of stairs on Wood Lane but Westfield say this situation is only temporary.

While Whiteley's in Bayswater and the Hammersmith Tube station shopping centre have taken out their seats, Westfield has been installing them - 1,100 of them for tired shoppers to relax in. Many of them are leather armchairs and are on small carpeted areas, surrounded by plants.

Other facilities include interactive information points to help people find their way around the vast area and a tagging system for children so they can be tracked down if they get lost.

Yasmine Estaphanos

 

30 October 2008