Anchors in place for Portsmouth and Derby developments

Two major shopping centre projects have signed anchor tenants. John Lewis is committing to Centros Miller's Northern Quarter development in Portsmouth and Debenhams and Marks & Spencer are both reportedly anchoring Westfield's extension to The Eagle Centre in Derby. In Portsmouth, John Lewis Partnership is to anchor the 600,000 sq ft (55,740 sq m) Northern Quarter scheme, which is being constructed on the site of the former Tricorn Shopping Centre. The retailer's four-storey department store will front Commercial Road, Portsmouth's prime pitch. The scheme is expected to open in 2009.

Developer Westfield has confirmed to the Australian Stock Exchange that: 'predevelopment works have commenced on the£300 million [Eagle Centre] development in Derby, with agreed heads of terms with Marks & Spencer and Debenhams to anchor the development'. Both retailers are already represented in the city, and will relocate to the new scheme on completion in 2007. The 750,000 sq ft (69,675 sq m) centre will introduce more than 100 stores, in two arcades running parallel to London Road. The two department stores will anchor each arcade, and a car park of more than 2,000 spaces will be created above the scheme.