THE taste of France will soon be coming to WestQuay as another big name is served up as part of the shopping centre’s £7m revamp, the Daily Echo can reveal.

The latest culinary star opening its doors in the Southampton shopping centre in November will be French eatery Cafe Rouge, offering shoppers traditional cuisine from across the Channel.

It is one of three new restaurant brands opening at the extended food hall, bringing about 100 new jobs to the city.

The French style restaurant will be joined by Pizza Express and Japanese style noodle chain Wagamama as the food quarter is renamed “Dining at WestQuay” to move away from its current status as “casual dining”.

Cafe Rouge will open opposite Wagamama, which will be above McDonald’s in the existing food court and the two will be linked by a new bridged walkway.

The existing roof terrace will be extended and covered with a glass atrium, offering all-year-round seating with views of Southampton Water.

WestQuay’s owners wanted to “expand” and “refresh”

the eating and drinking opportunities at the 11- year-old centre. It is hoped the changes will bring a five to ten per cent increase in footfall from shoppers.

The revamp has been designed by the team behind the giant Westfield shopping centre in London.

Andy Collyer, general manager at WestQuay, said: “We are all delighted that Café Rouge will be opening as part of Dining at WestQuay.

“The fact that the brand has chosen WestQuay as its first location in Southampton is fantastic news for the development and will offer even greater choice to our shoppers.”