Europe’s first purpose-built Asian shopping centre has opened on the site of a former Upton Park bus depot.

Newham Recorder: Crowds gathered outside the new shopsCrowds gathered outside the new shops (Image: Archant)

East Shopping Centre, in Green Street, officially opened its doors at a soft launch on Saturday, with a more spectacular grand opening set for the coming weeks.

Built on a one-acre site formerly home to a bus warehouse, the multi-purpose development is set to generate up to 200 jobs in the heart of the borough.

Among the army or retailers bringing their trade to the centre include major Asian fashion outlets like Zarkan of London, Andaaz Fashion, Memsaab, and Imaani London.

Joining the fashion brigade are luxury confectioners Urban Chocolatier, events planners, Exclusive Events and one of the UK’s leading coffee chains, Coffee Republic.

Newham Recorder: Crowds gathered outside the new shopsCrowds gathered outside the new shops (Image: Archant)

The structure will be anchored by the ‘Souk’ comprising of up to 17 smaller, local stores, whilst the food court, overlooking the centre, will offer a range of tastes from the Roosters Piri Piri chicken chain, Lost Asia, offering an exotic range of desserts and mocktails plus Brioche Burgers – an American-themed burger bar.

Paul Weldon, 54, director of partner ECR Investments hopes to attract shoppers from across the capital.

“This area and London in general has been crying out for something like this for years so we knew we’d found a gap in the market when we started the development two years ago.

“It will really lift this part of east London, providing somewhere for people to go if it’s raining or cold, under one roof.

Newham Recorder: Crowds gathered outside the new shopsCrowds gathered outside the new shops (Image: Archant)

“We’ve only had the soft launch but the retailers have already been feeding back very positive reponse so we’re all very excited.”

East has already generated much support from the local authorities, including Lyn Brown MP for West Ham, and retailers alike, and hopes to build on Green Street’s important cultural heritage.

The centre currently has five remaining units waiting to be filled and but is expected to hold a grand opening by mid-March.

For more information visit eastshoppingcentre.com

Newham Recorder: Crowds gathered outside the new shopsCrowds gathered outside the new shops (Image: Archant)

Newham Recorder: Crowds gathered outside the new shopsCrowds gathered outside the new shops (Image: Archant)

Newham Recorder: Crowds gathered outside the new shopsCrowds gathered outside the new shops (Image: Archant)

Newham Recorder: Crowds gathered outside the new shopsCrowds gathered outside the new shops (Image: Archant)