St David's opening will put Cardiff on European stage

The opening of the new St David's shopping centre this Thursday will provide Cardiff with yet another world class facility which will enhance its global reputation and significantly boost the economy of the city.

The 1.4 million sq ft centre, is a joint venture with the St David's Partnership, which boasts the largest John Lewis department store outside of London and is also anchored by Debenhams and Marks and Spencer.

It is estimated that some 27 million shoppers will pass through the new centre over the next 12 months, attracting more than £250million of new annual spending to Cardiff’s city centre each year.

St David's is predicted to become one of the UK's busiest shopping centre developments, establishing Cardiff as a top European retail destination.

The Leader of Cardiff Council Rodney Berman, said: “Like everyone else I have watched St David’s take shape over the last three years. Now we have reached the opening day I feel a sense of immense pride that Cardiff Council and the St David’s Partnership have between them delivered such a wonderful development for the people of the city and those who visit it.

"In terms of what this development will bring to Cardiff, £250million of new annual spending each year speaks for itself. There is no doubt that St David's is going to provide a huge economic boost for the city.”

While unemployment in Wales is on the up, St David's, once fully occupied is estimated to create around 4,000 new jobs, in addition to the hundreds of construction jobs that have already been created as part of this development.

The St David’s Jobs’ Team has already helped to facilitate 1,300 people into work to date, with nearly 16,000 people registering on the ‘www.stdavidsjobs.com’ website.

Councillor Berman said: "The website has been an incredible success and we’ve so far helped around 60 retailers with their recruitment. We have had a lot of positive feedback from them about the high quality of service and support the St David’s jobs team has given.”

The opening of St David’s will also coincide with the extension of opening hours across the city centre, with the new development as well other areas of the city such as Queen’s Arcade, extending their opening hours until 8pm during the week.

To encourage this St David's will offer Cardiff's first ever 24 hour secure car park, with 2,000 spaces above the shopping centre as well as thenew car park underneath John Lewis which will be able to accommodate a further 500 cars. The two new car parks will allow shoppers to park for only £1 after 5pm until 6am.

Councillor Berman said: “We want to create a more European-style family friendly evening culture in Cardiff life so that when 5pm comes people don’t just head home.

”Instead they may choose to stay in the city centre a little longer and enjoy what Cardiff has to offer in terms of shopping, restaurants, theatre, cinema and other evening entertainment. By extending shopping hours the economy in Cardiff will be given another boost with more people using the city centre at all times of the day.”

Another major benefit St David's will bring to Cardiff is the rejuvenation of the area surrounding the shopping centre, with landscaping, planting and paving taking place to completely transform the pedestrian environment in the city.

In addition to the huge investment by St David’s Partnership, Cardiff Council has spent in excess of £3m on improving many of the city centre public spaces including Hayes Island; St John’s Street; Park Place; Charles Street; Bute Terrace; Bridge Street; Barracks Lane; Cathedral Square and the junctions to Queen Street, Duke Street and St.Mary Street.

This has included replacing surfaces and adding street furniture such as, trees, lighting, seating and litter bins.

Councillor Berman added: "This is a significant investment by Cardiff Council and these improvements to the public spaces surrounding the development will make a huge difference to the overall appearance of the city centre.”