Westfield Geelong opens stage one

MELBOURNE: A marked spike in foot traffic is expected to accompany the first stage of its revamped Geelong centre, Westfield has claimed.

A spokesperson for the shopping centre giant said shoppers would be attracted by a range of new fashion and non-fashion retailers, the re-opening of Coles supermarket and the promise of a free lunch at Westfield Geelong.

Stage one of the redeveloped centre was officially opened at 10.30am today (17 April 2008) by Westfield Geelong centre manager Annette Cotter.

"We’re expecting a busy few days of trading as people come to browse the new stores and take advantage of our free $10 lunch offer when they sign up for a Geelong Card," Cotter said.

With some 25 new retailers including Diana Ferrari, Joanne Mercer, Bardot, Peter Jackson and R.M.Williams, the first stage would provide consumers with a taste of more to come once the redevelopment was finished in July, she said.

"We’ll then have 100 new specialty stores, 1700 car parks, as well as the first Big W in the region. Our al fresco dining strip and transparent glass bridge terrace will create great places to catch up for a meal or coffee with friends."

To celebrate the opening the centre was inviting customers to enjoy "Lunch On Us" in the week following the opening. Customers were invited to visit the concierge desk located on the ground floor or the level 1 food court to sign up for a Geelong card and receive one $10 meal deal voucher.