Westfield Stratford City has achieved another UK record after footfall figures at the East London shopping centre reached 50 million in the past year.
The latest figures exceed the previous milestone of 47 million visitors, which Westfield Stratford also achieved within the first 12 months of its opening between 2011 and 2012.
During that period London hosted the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and these events alone attracted nine million visitors given the shopping centre’s proximity to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
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Westfield Stratford set another British record when it welcomed over 220 million visitors in its first five years of operation, with retail sales of £5 billion.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield added that the centre has now welcomed more than 323 million visitors since it first opened in late 2011, generating total retail sales of more than £7.4 billion.
“We are very proud to reach another UK first at Westfield Stratford City with footfall topping 50 million in 12 months,” Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield European chief operating officer Michel Dessolain said.
“It is fitting that a destination at the heart of the Olympic legacy story continues to break records.
“Expectations for future growth are very strong with an estimated £22 billion to be invested by 2027 bringing more retail, homes and offices, as well as cultural and learning institutions to the area.”
The latest footfall milestone comes after Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield published a report into the socio-economic impact of its two shopping centres in London over the past decade.
The 10 Years in the Making report – which coincided with the 10th anniversary of Westfield London on the other side of the capital in White City – indicated that the two centres would generate an estimate of £22 billion-£30 billion of gross economic activity over the next 20 years.
According to the report, one in five Westfield Stratford City employees live in the local London Borough of Newham, where 13 per cent of all jobs are supported by the centre.
Other contributions include £12 million to fund local transport and infrastructure improvements, along with plans for a residential development featuring 1200 new homes.
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