The Trinity Leeds shopping centre is 90 per cent let following the decision by designer brand Armani Exchange to sign up to the £350m scheme two months before opening day.
The signing of the Italian designer’s youth label will raise the centre’s fashion credentials when it opens on March 21.
The one million sq ft site, the only major new shopping centre being built in the UK, is now 85 per cent pre-let with a further five per cent in solicitors’ hands.
Developer Land Securities described the centre’s high tenancy levels as “a good result in a difficult market”.
The company’s retail portfolio director Gerald Jennings, said: “The opening of Trinity Leeds underlines the strength of the city as a retail centre and the confidence that retailers – even in these difficult times for the high street – have in Leeds.”
Other new signings include Coast, The Entertainer, Bose, Goldsmiths, Deichmann and Phillip Stoner.
They will join key tenants Marks & Spencer, Primark, Cult, Hollister, Next, River Island, H&M, and Topshop/Topman.
The remaining 10 per cent is likely to be allocated to good quality restaurants and specialist branded retailers.
“With only 10 per cent to go we can be a bit more selective and targeted. The final 10 per cent will be the icing on the cake,” said Mr Jennings.
Land Securities also has plans to expand its White Rose shopping centre south of the city and will soon submit a planning application for a cinema, four new restaurants and the extension of the Debenhams and Primark stores.
White Rose reported strong Christmas trading and said three new all-time footfall records were set over the festive period.
Almost 400,000 people visited during Christmas week and a new record of 48,000 shoppers came on Christmas Eve.
The centre reported 70,000 shoppers on Boxing Day – some 4,000 of whom had started queuing from 1am for the Next sale.
Mr Jennings said the vast majority of retailers at White Rose have adopted “click and collect” - a big growth area in retail.
“More than 80 per cent of retailers at White Rose have adopted click and collect,” he said.
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