By Sean Gannon
The latest addition to the Leeds high street has been named the best shopping centre in the world.
Victoria Gate was awarded the prestigious honour at the MIPIM Awards, an internationally renowned real estate event held at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.
The £165m development opened in October and features a flagship John Lewis store, a casino and several leading shops including Tommy Hilfiger, Aspinal of London and Anthropologie.
It managed to beat off competition for the prize from several new schemes in Hong Kong, Japan and other places in Asia.
The shopping centre was developed by Hammerson plc, who were honoured that their work won the award and responded with this tweet:
Delighted that @VictoriaLeeds_ has won the prestigious MIPIM Award for Best Shopping Centre! Well done to the team and @acme_london https://t.co/LhF78HS31H
— Hammerson plc (@Hammersonplc) 16 March 2017
It is believed that the opening of Victoria Gate, along with Trinity Leeds, has already had an immediate impact on the city’s trade.
Figures from Leeds City Council reveal a footfall of over 4.5 million in January, an increase of nearly 300,000 from the same period last year.
Many residents and visitors to the city have expressed approval for Victoria Gate, with some praising it as modern and up-to-date and others thankful for the extra parking it provides.