Record takings at City's mall One New Change

Almost 80,000 shoppers flocked to One New Change last week, giving the stores in the City's new shopping centre record weekly sales.

The Square Mile's first major retail centre, which opened in October, attracted 78,588 visitors through its doors, pushing sales up 9% on a week earlier.

One New Change's tills are taking a total of about £2 million a week.

"We expect to reach 100,000 visitors a week before Christmas," said One New Change director Robert Goodman. "The fashion retailers are performing particularly well."

He added that One New Change is helping the City to shed its ghost town feel on Saturdays and Sundays as the shopping mall is open seven days a week.

Another 30 to 40 stores in the area are also opening their doors at the weekend thanks to an increase in tourist shoppers.

One New Change is fully let, with its final residents — which include Baby Gap and a Gordon Ramsay restaurant — scheduled to open in the coming months.

An average of 2,500 visitors a day have also braved the cold to use its roof terrace, which overlooks St Paul's.

Stores in One New Change include Banana Republic, Guess and Hugo Boss, while eateries include Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Barbecoa.