Behind the scenes at Westfield Stratford

As a self-confessed shopaholic and shopping centre geek, I was so excited to be invited on a behind the scenes tour of Westfield Stratford ahead of the launch on the 13 September.

Stepping outside Stratford station I was taken aback by how large the mall actually is. I'd read about it in magazines and seen adverts on TV, but nothing prepared me for the sheer scale of the 1.9 million square foot centre with three floors of shops and restaurants, retail heaven!

According to the bods at Westfield, the centre will have over 300 fashion, food and lifestyle brands, two supermarkets, two hotels, a 17 screen cinema, 14-lane bowling alley, complete with cocktail bar and restaurant (my three favourite things-bowling, drinking cocktails and bowling) and one of the largest casinos in the country, with two bars, a restaurant and space for performances.

Apparently the design of the mall is based on feedback from the locals, many of whom said they wanted a 'high street' feel to Westfield Stratford, hence the centre's outdoor marketplace, which will house boutique and specialist food stockists, where shoppers can pick up delicious olives and the obligatory cupcake. Restaurants will also line the outside of the centre, with favourites such as Bushbai Eathai, Jamie's Italian, Wahaca and independent eateries including a restaurant owned by an former TV exec, who decided to give it all up to open a Carribean joint.

Westfield Stratford's advertising campaign

Unlike Westfield London, which has a village dedicated to designer brands, the new centre is more mixed, with luxury and high street stores in the same area.

Shops include Primark( over three floors), Topshop, Pandora, River Island, Hollister, Superdry, H&M, Reiss, Zara, just to name a few, and department stores-Marks and Spencers and John Lewis.Some of the Highlights are a huge Forever 21, the second store to come to London, the first ever standalone Kiehl's store and the launch of Tommy Hilfiger Kids.

As if that wasn't enough, throughout the centre are works of art, created as part of the Studio East project led by Tracey Emin, and by top artists. The black tower (below) will be a water feature with a difference, with light effects to create the sense of water, probably a good idea with the British weather.

The tour was also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Olympic Stadium, which is literally within touching distance of the mall. For those of you, like me, who failed to get tickets to the Olympics next year, I recommend watching the action from the Marks and Spencers cafe or the glass walled restaurant in the casino.

I know where all my hard earned cash will go come the 13th.

To find out all the latest news, store openings and events at Westfield Stratford visit 

http://www.westfieldstratfordcity2011.com/