River Island, Clarks, Mamas & Papas and Schuh are among eight retailers to take space at the new £64m Whiteley Shopping Centre, which is due to open in South Hampshire next spring.

Toy retailer The Entertainer, Paperchase, accessories chain Claire’s and menswear chain Moss have also signed up to the development.

The latest pre-lets have taken a total of 27,835 sq ft of space at the 320,000 sq ft new build scheme, which is being developed by the Whitely Co-Ownership Trust, a joint venture between British Land and Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited (USS).

Marks & Spencer and Next have already committed to anchoring the scheme, taking a 60,000 sq ft unit and a 19,500 space respectively. An existing Tesco will also remain at the centre.

According to the Whitely Co-Ownership Trust, the centre is now 78% let and a further 12 units are in solicitor’s hands. Other pre-lets already announced include H&M, Boots, JD Sports, Bank and Sports Direct.

Claire Barber, head of Shopping Centre Asset Management for British Land, said: “The recent lettings continue to prove that Whiteley can deliver what retailers want: the right location, affordable rents and the right type of space in a high quality environment.”

Situated between the two harbour cities of Portsmouth and Southampton, and adjacent to an existing Tesco supermarket, the scheme benefits from excellent accessibility via junction nine of the M27.

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