A SHOPPING centre's recent multi-million pound expansion is building bridges with City financial institutions.

The Bridges, in Sunderland, is bucking the trend in regional retail ratings, according to visiting Stock Market experts. Twelve City of London analysts were invited by Bridges' owners, Land Securities, to run the rule over the centre following completion of an extension.

They came away highly impressed with The Bridges, now more than double its original size, with more than 100 retail units and a workforce of 1,800.

There is a new 960-space multi-storey car park, incorporating Shopmobility facilities.

The flagship Debenhams store covers three floors, and its arrival, along with other leading retail names, has increased the number of visitors to more than 500,000 a week.

Delegation member Georgina Browning, of Schroder Salomon Smith Barney, said: "It's a fantastic shopping centre."

She said Land Securities was in a "win, win situation", making money from its investment while creating, "the right environment" for local people.