With the opening fast approaching, P&O Estates can announce that a further eight retailers have signed up for space at Drake Circus, Plymouth's new £200 million shopping centre. Billabong, Game, Starbucks, Lush, Burger King, The Perfume Shop, Passion for Perfume, and HDH Caterers have now joined the likes of Marks & Spencer, Next, Primark, Boots, River Island and H&M Hennes. These latest lettings amount to over 15,000 sq ft (1,394 sq m) of space which means that the scheme is now over 80% let four months before the centre opening date.

Speaking on behalf of P&O, Graham Corser, Director commented: “It is a fantastic reflection on the scheme, Plymouth and the South West in general that Drake Circus continues to attract such high profile international retailers. We are also thrilled to announce, and have the support of our first three food retailers to take space within the scheme. These include Plymouth based HDH Caterers, alongside the international brands Starbucks and Burger King.”

The food court will be anchored by local retailer HDH Catering who is taking 5,476 sq ft (509 sq m) of space within the Cirque du Monde. A selection of both continental and traditional food will be provided within a modern environment with over 200 covers, which will extend to the outside terrace. Starbucks, who have not had a presence in Plymouth before are taking 2,303 sq ft (214 sq m) of space on the lower ground floor of the scheme which will include atrium seating.

International fashion retailer Billabong is taking a 2, 200 sq ft (204 sq m) store within the scheme, making it only the second stand alone Billabong store in the UK. Lush already has a presence in the South West; however the 699 sq ft (65 sq m) unit in Drake Circus will be its first store within Plymouth itself. Popular console and computer game retailer Game is expanding its existing presence in the city by taking a 1,829 sq ft store (171 sq m) on a 15 year lease at Drake Circus.

Drake Circus is on schedule for completion in October 2006, when it will become one of the leading shopping destinations in the South West. In total the scheme will offer 560,000 sq ft (51,950 sq m) of retail trading space and will serve the growing local and regional population and cater for the influx of tourists who visit Devon and Cornwall every year.

Joint letting agents for Drake Circus are Lunson Mitchenall and Hartnell Taylor Cook.

For further information on Drake Circus, please visit www.drakecircus.com

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Notes to editors:

Drake Circus - Breakdown of space taken by new retailers:

Billabong – 2,200 sq ft (204 sq m) Game – 1,829 sq ft (171 sq m) The Perfume Shop – 796 sq ft (74 sq m) Starbucks – 2,303 sq ft (214 sq m) Passion for Purfume – 872 sq ft (81 sq m) Lush – 699 sq ft (65 sq m) HDH Catering – 5,476 sq ft (509 sq m) Burger King – 1,173 sq ft (109 sq m)

The new Drake Circus Shopping Centre will include 48 shops, 9 major stores and an M&S department store, cafes and restaurants. Work on the scheme commenced in the spring of 2004 and the centre is due to open on 5th October 2006.

A new multi-storey car park immediately above the centre will provide 1270 spaces, and will include up to 50 spaces set aside for disabled people and parents with children.

Architects for the scheme are Chapman Taylor, one of the country's leading firms of retail architects.

The Drake Circus scheme is owned by Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund (MSREF) and P&O Estates is the development manager.

For further press information please contact:

Belinda Payne or Pandora Tullouch at ADC Blueprint

Tel: 020 7349 6280

Email: bpayne@adcblueprint.com / ptullouch@adcblueprint.com