The ICON Outlet mall, consisting of 85 stores, covers 210,000 square feet of space that has been empty for more than a decade, since plans for a “supercasino” were shelved.
Major retailers at the centre will include ASICS, Aspinal of London, Cath Kidston, Crew Clothing Company, Gant, Hackett, Jack Wills, Karen Millen, Kurt Geiger, Osprey, Phase Eight and Ted Baker.
US entertainment group AEG, which operates the O2, said the mall will create 1,280 jobs and generate an estimated £100 million in spending a year.
AEG hopes the shops will “complete the circle” of attractions ringing the 20,000-capacity arena and draw in more visitors during the day.
Half of the mall will occupy an unused space on the upper level of the O2, originally earmarked for the casino. The other half is in a new space beyond the existing restaurants.
The new shops will open at 10am on Saturday. An Abba-themed Mamma Mia! The Musical immersive dining experience will start in the spring.
