Retail Property - Crowds flock to Gunwharf Quays

Gunwharf Quays - the Berkeley Group and Land Securities£200 million mixed-use development on the waterfront at Portsmouth Harbour - attracted almost 6 million people in its second year of trading, an increase of 12.5 per cent on the previous year.

Since it opened at Easter 2001, Gunwharf Quays has welcomed more than 11 million visitors. Footfall is running at about 110,000 per week.

The landlords' figures show gross turnover at designer outlet stores up 29 per cent in the year to April 2003, while turnover from restaurants and bars rose 2 per cent.

Average spend per shopper has increased by 8 per cent year-on-year, with 13.5 per centre of visitors spending more than£100 a visit.

Nine designer outlet units totalling 1,860 sq m are under construction and will be available later in the year.