Shops to open late six days

The new owners of Telford Shopping Centre today announced late-night shopping six days a week as part of their £1 billion vision to bring new life to the heart of the town.Five of its major chain stores will stay open until 8pm from June, while the Asda supermarket will stay open until 10pm. Bosses say the changes are due to "popular demand". They hope other stores will be keen to follow suit.

Hark and Apollo, which bought the centre last June for £450 million, says late-night opening should provide a huge boost for the town's economy and help it compete with rival shopping centres in the West Midlands and Black Country.

It has already started work on a £1 billion scheme to transform Telford Shopping Centre, to be known as The Round, which will see well over 1,000 jobs created and more than 3,000 homes built.

Hark and Apollo says late-night opening reflects the centre's increasingly regional outlook and the growing popularity of evening shopping.

Spokesman Julian Seymour said: "Anchor stores House of Fraser, Asda, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, BHS and Boots requested the longer hours at recent meetings and Hark Group and Apollo have been more than happy to oblige.

"Asda has gone one step further and will now be open until 10pm.

"Other store owners will be receiving notice of the changes this week and it is very much hoped and expected that they will be keen to participate."

Hark director, David Henderson-Williams, said: "We were delighted to hear the store owners tell us that they wanted, and needed, to stay open longer each night.

"It reflects on the growing regional reputation of the centre and the potential of the Round once it is complete. We need to make sure that we can build our customers a centre worthy of their expectations as soon as possible."

Centre director Ray Hoof said: "It's fantastic to see the high levels of customer service in the stores and around the centre reflected in the increase in demand for longer opening hours."

The new hours will apply Monday to Saturday. Current opening hours are 9am to 6pm, with 8pm closing on Thursdays, and 10.30am to 4.30pm opening on Sundays.

By Peter Johnson