Liverpool One phase two is open now! I went along yesterday to have a look at the restaurants before they were officially opened to the public today. It looks fantastic. It looks so much bigger and better than I imagined. A fantastic project. Below is a video I did yesterday and the story I wrote for the front page of Daily Post this morning- I can recommend a burrito from Barburrito-they were amazing!!!
Off to do another video of Princess Anne officially opening it.

THE chief executive of Liverpool One last night said she was confident the £1bn development would not fall victim to the credit crunch and would continue to buck the trend of decreasing retail sales.

Joanne Jennings was speaking on the eve of the unveiling of phase two of the 42-acre develop-ment, which will be opened by Princess Anne at noon today. With world financial markets threatening meltdown and the banking system in crisis, it would appear to be a potentially dangerous time to be completing such a major and expensive project.

But Ms Jennings remains certain that Liverpool One will prosper.

"In terms of timing, there are a couple of reasons why Liverpool has been less affected than the rest of the country by the credit crunch," she said. "There was a massive demand in Liverpool for additional retail. Before Liverpool One opened its doors, the city stood at number 15 in the country's retail hierarchy.

"With Liverpool One and the investment the development will bring to Liverpool, we are hoping to push Liverpool into the top five. As a key city, 15 is very low.

"The city centre needed redeveloping and we have been welcomed by the local market and from farther afield.

"Capital of Culture status has also been a major influence. The Mersey Partnership estimates there has been a visitor increase to the city of 70% on last year.

"We have benefited from the extra marketing Liverpool has received, as well as having our own strategies in place to keep us in this buoyant position and to keep bucking national trends.

"Since we opened, there has been a 30% increase in visitors to the city centre, and a 40% increase to the Albert Dock.

"A lot of the deals with retailers and restaurants were also done pre-credit crunch, which has helped.

"As far as I am aware, no stores are struggling; in fact, the John Lewis store is the company's best- performing store outside of London."

Not all the shops in phase two of the project will open today, but Ms Jennings could not confirm rumours that some retailers are waiting for better economic conditions before throwing open their doors.

She said: "It is hard to say whether any stores have put off moving in to see how the situation with the economy develops.We have been opening the stores in stages, so a lot of stores are opening at a time to suit them.

"The leisure terrace is at 99% capacity, and the retail section at 92%, which we feel is a fantastic achievement.

"There are an additional 30 shops due to open in the run-up to Christmas, so things are happen-ing constantly. We are launching a massive TV advertising campaign in the run-up to Christmas and into 2009, to keep people informed and to keep bringing people into Liverpool One.

"We are very positive about the future of Liverpool One and work-ing hard to achieve goals, but in no way are we being complacent."

A NEW leisure terrace forms a major part of today's second phase of Liverpool One.

Restaurants and cafes opening on the terrace today include Yo! Sushi, Wagamama, Zizzi, Pizza Hut, Las Iguanas, Café Rouge, Nando's and Barburrito, as well as the Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Korova Bar.

These leisure offerings will sit alongside the new 14-screen Odeon cinema and the revamped and remodelled Chavasse Park.

At midday the Princess Royal will officially open Chavasse Park at the Sugar House steps opposite The Hilton Hotel site.

Ms Jennings said: "The first phase was all about retail; this second phase is something entirely new.

I think it will capture the hearts and minds of the people of Liverpool

"It will give them what they want in a city centre, a green open space with the five-acre Chavasse Park and a leisure area with a 14-screen cinema and cuisine from all over the world.

"We have carefully chosen the restaurants; most haven't been seen in Liverpool before.''

New stores opening today include Fred Perry, L'Occitane, Urban Outfitters, USC, Radley, Karen Millen, G Star, Lakeland and a Crocs Store.

Lollipops Paris is also taking a second site in the city.

During the day 100 street performers and bands will be keeping visitors entertained in what is being billed an Access all Areas party.

A full programme of events will be available between noon and 10pm with fashion shows at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm and 9pm.

Events will culminate at 10pm with a stunning firework finale set to music.

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