The Mall now owns 21 shopping centers with a total asset valueof euro 3 billion ($3.6 billion) and more than seven million sf ofretail floor space. This makes it the second largest shoppingcentre owner in the UK terms of number (behind Prudential) and size(behind Capital Shopping Centres).

According to Ken Ford, chief executive of the Mall, this latestbuy fits in with "our investment criteria" in that they are"dominant covered centers in loyal catchments and with significantoperational and added value potential."

In April of this year, the Mall bought the Eastgate ShoppingCentre in Gloucester, from Canterbarn, one of Catalyst CapitalLLP's joint-venture vehicles, for euro 59.7 million ($74 million).Refurbished in 1995, Eastgate Shopping Centre provides roughly290,000 sf of retail and ancillary accommodation. Tenants includeH&M Hennes, M&S, Woolworths and Specsavers.