FASHION specialists TopShop and TopMan are the latest stores to sign up at the £100 million Westwood Cross shopping centre in Thanet.

The shops are both new to the Thanet area and will share a 7,763 sq ft centre that will sell a range of clothing, shoes and accessories.

Thanet council leader Cllr Sandy Ezekiel said: "This is excellent news for the area. Westwood Cross is continuing to bring more new outlets to the area, all of which will help to keep retail spending local to Thanet. The centre is already providing a major boost to our economy, with the creation of hundreds of jobs in the construction phase.”

James Ager, of developer Richardsons said: “We are delighted to have TopShop and TopMan in the shopping centre. They join an exciting retail line up and represent a real vote of confidence for the area. This will undoubtedly help to encourage shopper spending back to the Isle of Thanet that would otherwise go to alternative destinations in Kent.”

The centre opens in June and up to 1,500 retail jobs will be created, with more than 1,000 applications already received by the local JobCentre Plus.

Key retailers already lined up include Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Next, WH Smith and TK Maxx.

Other businesses include specialist video games retailer GAME which has a 1,300 sq ft store, and Costa Coffee which will take a 2,000 sq ft coffee shop.

GAME property director Nick Martel said: “This key location will add to our existing portfolio in 2005 and we’ll be working to recruit a great team into this store.”

Westwood Cross will provide almost nine football pitches worth of new shopping space and bring a diverse mix of top national retailers into the area for the first time. Parking will be free and new bus routes are planned to ensure easy access to the site.