Shoppers flock to Westfield Stratford City

Europe’s largest shopping complex is a £1.45bn retail and lifestyle development poised at the gates of the London 2012 Olympic Games. With 300 shops, 70 places to eat and drink and 1.9m square feet of floor space, it’s a retail behemoth set to transform London’s shopping environment.

The big names have never been this far East—until opening its One New Change location in October 2010, John Lewis’s easternmost store was its Oxford Street flagship. And apparently, the roof has the best views of the Olympic park from anywhere in East London.

Westfield executives expect ‘tens of thousands’ of shoppers to explore the new mall on its first day of trading, a spokesperson said. Hundreds had already arrived by 9:00 AM, queuing outside of yet-to-be-opened stores and waiting to snap up opening-day bargains and freebies.

‘We knew it was going to be like this,’ Amina Iqbal said. Normally, the 21-year-old would be at home at this hour, but instead, she’s one of nearly 600 people queuing outside of Westfield’s Forever 21 store. ‘I’m here because there are goody bags.’

Alazne Amezaga, 34, and Shelley Williamson, 36, also queuing for the free gifts of Forever 21 pyjamas, planned to attend Westfield’s grand opening as soon as they learned the date.

‘It’s great for us to have all these shops close and available. It’s generating a lot more jobs for the local area. It’s good for the economy, good for us to have fun, and good that we don’t have to go so far for a shopping centre,’ Amezaga said. Previously, the friends used to travel to Oxford Street or the Westfield in Shepherd’s Bush for shopping outings; the new complex is a two-stop tube ride from their homes.

‘I think we’re going to stay here all day.’