Debenhams is to open a department store at Capital Shopping Centres’ extension of Eldon Square shopping centre in Newcastle

The 180,000 sq ft (16,720 sq m) store will trade on four levels and create an anchor for the single-level mall extension, which will have 30 large shops, trading on two levels.

The Southern Gateway scheme, is the third phase of the £170m extension and redevelopment of Eldon Square, adding 480,000 sq ft (44,590 sq m) of retail space. On completion of the three phases, Eldon Square will increase in size to nearly 1.3m sq ft (120,770 sq m).

Debenhams will open in autumn 2009 with a frontage to Newgate Street. Rob Hadfield, acquisitions manager of Debenhams said: ‘We have been looking to gain representation in the City for a long period of time and believe that ourselves in one of the largest new stores that we have acquired recently in the UK together with the Southern Gateway scheme will solidify Newcastle’s position as one of the major shopping locations in the country’.