Stratford has come a long way since the Olympics were awarded to London in 2006, and this weekend close to 200,000 people will descend upon it to celebrate the anniversary of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Stratford has come a long way since the Olympics were awarded to London in 2006, and this weekend close to 200,000 people will descend upon it to celebrate the anniversary of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Olympic heroes Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis and Usain Bolt are set to return to the ground that cemented their place in history. Thousands of Londoners and those from further afield will head to the Olympic Park - now the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - for the athletics of Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games and the music and food of the Open East Festival.

For Westfield and our retailers, last year’s Olympic Games was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Westfield Stratford City was the first shopping centre in history to be at the gateway to an Olympic Park, offering our retailers unprecedented exposure to a global audience - 8.5 million shoppers visited Westfield Stratford City during the Games.

Although Westfield fast-tracked its development to open nearly one year before the Games, it’s a strategic and long-term commitment.

Westfield Stratford City is the first piece of Olympic legacy and we now have a thriving shopping centre that created more than 10,000 new permanent jobs, attracted 47 million shoppers in its first year and has a moving annual target approaching £1bn.

The Government’s legacy plan has also ensured that Stratford and east London are well placed to capitalise on the Olympics with improved transport, new homes, offices and a vibrant new park with an exciting cultural and events programme.

A year on and Stratford has already become known as the venue for some of London’s most popular musical events - Hard Rock Calling and the Yahoo! Wireless Festival - and looks set to become a regular venue for the festival season, offering retailers increased sales opportunities.

Footfall for Westfield Stratford City during the week that included the Yahoo! Wireless Festival reached close to 1 million.

In 2013 the centre continues to deliver strong footfall with more than 700,000 shoppers every week and first-quarter sales up 7.7%.

A key legacy for Stratford is an international reputation that is rapidly on the rise. In the last 12 months the centre has attracted a number of firsts to UK retail including Victoria’s Secret, Cadenzza and David’s Bridal, and demand from group travel operators has increased.

Stratford today is one of the most internationally recognised areas of London.

In a little over a year it has become a stop on the tourist tick list and is now a vibrant and successful example of urban regeneration.

This is just the beginning of east London’s major regeneration plans but Westfield Stratford City provides a solid foundation for what will become a destination for all of London and its millions of tourists.

  • John Burton, Director of Development, Westfield