Launch date announced for mega-mall near Olympic park

Europe's biggest urban shopping mall opens in London on September 13, it was revealed today.

The £1.5billion Westfield Stratford City, next to the Olympic park, will house more than 300 shops, including a John Lewis department store and large branches of Marks & Spencer and Waitrose.

It will also have 50 cafes and restaurants, three hotels, a 14-screen cinema and Britain's biggest casino, the Australian developers announced.

The opening will come nine months ahead of the 2012 Games and less than three years after sister mall Westfield London opened in Shepherd's Bush.

The 1.9million sq ft arcade, part of the new E20 postcode being created, is forecast to generate 10,000 permanent jobs. John Lewis expects to recruit about 750 staff. About three-quarters of the mall's space is already let.

Michael Gutman, managing director of Westfield UK, spoke of "an exciting year for our clients".