The White Rose puts up the house full signs

White Rose’s owner Land Securities is in final planning talks with Leeds City Council to thrash out issues over car parking to ensure there is enough space for extra visitors.

A decision was expected by the end of October, but is now expected before Christmas.

Land Securities portfolio director Gerald Jennings said he is confident the plans have got a lot of public support.

“All the feedback is that everyone wants this to happen,” he said.

The extension that will bring a multi-screen cinema, four new restaurants, increased floorspace for the existing Primark and Debenhams stores and the creation of a new car park.

The centre is 100 per cent let for the first time since the recession struck five years ago.

“We have no vacant space at all,” said Mr Jennings.

“That’s quite a milestone for us. We’re still seeing difficult economic and retailing conditions, but people want to come to White Rose. We always have retailers wanting to talk to us about space at the centre.”

If planning permission goes ahead, the extension will include a 42,000 sq ft cinema, 20,000 sq ft of new restaurant space, a 55,000 sq ft extension for Primark and Debenhams and 20,000 sq ft of new retail space.

Recent new entrants at White Rose include Simply Be, Jacamo, Quiz and Optical Express. Bank has relocated within the centre to double the size of its store to almost 7,000 sq ft.

Units are under construction for Handmade Burger Co and Prezzo restaurants.

The White Rose food court is being increased from 7,000 sq ft to 21,000 sq ft as part of a £7m upgrade, which saw the arrival of a 170-seater Frankie & Benny’s restaurant in June.

In the city centre, Land Securities’ landmark £350m Trinity Leeds development is now 96 per cent let or in solicitors’ hands.

New entrants include upmarket US lingerie firm Victoria’s Secret, sports and leisure retailer Adidas, jeweller Rox and American lifestyle footware retailer Skechers - all of which are new to the city. For Skechers, the Trinity Leeds store is its first outside London.

They have joined brands such as Apple, Mango, Hollister, Superdry, Topshop/Topman, H&M, Next and Marks & Spencer.

A new 107,000 sq ft Primark store is due to open early next month allowing it to cash in on the Christmas rush.

“The transformation that Trinity has brought to the prime retail core of Leeds has been tremendous,” said Mr Jennings.

Trinity Leeds, which employs 2,600 people, has recorded footfall of more than 14 million since it opened on March 21.

“This is where we thought we’d be, particularly as Primark hasn’t opened yet,” said Mr Jennings.

Primark, famous for its designer-style, high fashion appeal and low prices, has a loyal following of female shoppers. The group recently reported an impressive five per cent increase in like-for-like sales while more traditional chains such as Marks & Spencer have seen a fall in sales.

Mr Jennings said that Leeds City Council data shows that since Trinity Leeds opened, Leeds has had a million more visits to the city centre. “Everyone who comes is doing the whole city thing, visiting the arena, the museums and the art galleries. People are coming into Leeds for the whole city experience,” he said.

Trinity Leeds’ target was for 23 million shoppers in the first 12 months of trading – which should be easily achievable with the key Christmas and New Year shopping periods yet to come.

“When Primark opens I’d like to think we’ll achieve our target,” said Mr Jennings.

Land Securities has introduced a street food market concept, Trinity Kitchen, which has seven permanent operators - Pho Cafe, Chicago Rib Shack, PizzaLuxe, 360 Champagne & Cocktails, Tortilla, Notes Cafe and Chip + Fish – and five street food vans.

Mr Jennings said Trinity Kitchen has proved a popular addition and looks set to drive further footfall throughout the day and into the evening.

Almost a quarter of the floorspace at Trinity Leeds is devoted to food and beverage facilities.

Land Securities reported that its adjusted diluted net asset value per share rose by 3.8 per cent from six months ago, to 937p on September 30. Underlying pre-tax profit rose 8.9 per cent to £156.5m.

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