SOUTHAMPTON is a city in transformation and its future is looking healthy.

A new publication from Southampton City Centre Management has concluded that the city centre's ongoing transformation is maintaining the clean bill of health on a variety of issues, but car parking capacity needs to be examined to maintain the transformation of the city centre.

Southampton City Centre Health Check is an annual document that is produced to help city bodies improve the vitality and viability.

It is aimed at a wide audience including retailers, businesses, investors, the chamber of commerce and Southampton City Council.

The report shows that the retail sector is a great success.

City centre manager Ian Rothwell, said: "Southampton's retail success has to be predominantly the offer provided by WestQuay.

"Prior to it opening, Southampton's retail ranking was number 38 in the UK, it now stands proudly at no 7 and is the premier retail destination south of London.

"The retail rankings show that for shopping, Southampton is far better than Portsmouth.

"Portsmouth's strengths lie more in its Naval heritage and the tourism economy associated with that. The two cities, therefore, complement each other."

Despite the many glowing results of the report, there is still a lot to do to make Southampton the jewel in the crown of the south coast.

"But there is always room for improvement and many of these are being addressed," added Ian.

"The design of the streetscape, a better cultural offer, a further diversified evening economy are all areas which could be improved in Southampton.

"New standards for street furniture are being introduced by Southampton City Council and the developments at Northern Above Bar and WestQuay phase 3 will provide cultural and night time diversity.

"Shopping is without doubt Southampton's biggest strength and the city's offer compares favourably with many larger centres.

"Other strengths for the city include the cruise industry and the provision of further education.

"Perhaps most exciting are the number of developments in the city centre either being planned or under way, demonstrating the confidence in Southampton."