Westfield Stratford to open September 13

Europe’s largest urban shopping centre will cover 1.9m sq ft, offering retail and leisure.

The £1.45bn centre, which will create 10,000 jobs, is to house 300 retailers, including John Lewis, which will anchor the scheme along with Marks & Spencer and Waitrose.

Westfield said the mall is set to become one of the best connected retail destinations in the UK, with £17bn being invested in public transport in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics, which will be based in Statford.

Westfield UK/Europe and New Markets managing director Michael Gutman said: “We are diligently working towards the opening of our East London project in 150 days which will be a wonderful curtain raiser for the excitement which will follow nine months later at the Olympic Games.

“Following on from the successful launch of Westfield London over two years ago, we are well underway with preparations for another exciting year for our retailers and consumers in September, leading into a busy Christmas period, Easter 2012 and then into the Summer Olympic Games.

“70% of all visitors to the London Olympics will arrive at the Games via Westfield Stratford City.”