HAMPSHIRE'S new multi-million pound shopping centre is on course to become a soaraway success.

With more than a year still to go until the opening of the £270 million West Quay shopping centre in Southampton, it is already three-quarters full.

Big name stores are falling over each other in the rush to sign up to have a pres-ence in the mall, said developer Hammersons. It makes the centre one of the most attractive in the country.

The final names to join the list of shops inside the mall is due to be released later this year - and they are set to be the biggest.

Spokeswoman Pamela Wentzell would only reveal that "international high fashion labels" are among those names clinching deals to secure shops inside the mall. High street fashion names like Jigsaw, Gap and French Connection are also among those tipped to join the rush. "The most exciting shops are yet to come," said Ms Wentzell.

The latest list of retailers to confirm a presence in the mall include The Perfume Shop, Sports Soccer and Moss Bros - joining a list of stores already announced such as Hennes, Habitat, Dixons and Waitrose.

Work on the shell of the giant development is due to be finished in the next two weeks. One of the two major anchor stores, John Lewis, is already complete and will be handed over on July 16 to be fitted out inside.

City leader June Bridle said West Quay would act as a magnet for the whole city.

"I'm not surprised retailers want to come to Southampton - it's a superb place to trade. There will be some moving around among shops already in the city, that is inevitable, but West Quay will be a catalyst for the whole city centre.

"Shops that can't get into West Quay will look to Above Bar. It's an exciting time for the city." And Mike Heath, director general of the Chamber of Commerce, said West Quay was a "stunning success" for the city.

"But we mustn't forget smaller retail areas and continue to do everything we can to support them," he warned.

The shops already signed up for West Quay are: Marks & Spencer; John Lewis; Moss Bros; Habitat; H & M Hennes; Dixons; Jeffrey Rogers; Clinton Cards; Ernest Jones; H. Samuel; Sports Soccer; F Hinds; The Link; Orange; Perfume Shop. Units for a further 17 retailers are also under offer.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.