EVEN before the first customer walked through its doors, critics denounced the south's premier new shopping centre.

They feared it would destroy existing trade and clog up roads with massive volumes of extra traffic.

Nine months on, Southampton city centre's WestQuay complex has not only dramatically boosted visitor numbers and brought associated benefits to the economy but has also allayed its critics' worst fears.

Concerns that the rest of the city centre could become a ghost town have been staved off as retailers continue to open for business in Above Bar properties abandoned by companies moving into WestQuay.

Primark opens today in the former Marks & Spencer building in Above Bar, heralding the rebirth of the pedestrian precinct outside the £350m centre.

And WestQuay has now been voted the best high street development in the UK in the prestigious Retail Property Awards run by Property Week.

Judges said they were impressed with the scheme, which has transformed the face of retailing in the city centre.

WestQuay beat other contenders including the Triangle in Manchester and Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.

The shopping centre, which opened last September, has lifted Southampton from 27th position in the UK retail rankings to 13th and has already attracted more than 12 million shoppers.

While huge numbers of customers pour into the city centre, transport chiefs say the highways are far from gridlocked.

Even traders in East Street, who remain vocal about potential damage to their livelihoods, have not been adversely affected. Business in WestQuay itself has exceeded initial expectations, with John Lewis Southampton doubling its customer numbers over its old Tyrrell & Green store and shops in Above Bar are generally reporting increased sales.

Richard Broadhead, commercial director at WestQuay, said: "Since our opening at the end of September, millions of people have poured into Southampton city centre.

"These visitors are not just coming to WestQuay. Research has provided evidence that more than 60 per cent of WestQuay's visitors are enjoying the shopping and leisure experience that Southampton's city centre now offers.

"This upsurge in numbers has led to renewed interest from retailers wishing to buy into the success of Southampton's regeneration.

"Already a number of new faces have arrived in Above Bar. Southampton is now firmly established as the region's prime retail destination."

East Street Traders Association chairman Rashmi Chande said the new £295m mall had not shared the wealth with the row of shops he represented just yards away but agreed that it had not completely diverted business away either.

He said: "I would say it has had a neutral effect on us. Those who already knew about us and shopped in East Street previously are still coming back.

"But we are not attracting any new customers.

"There is a lack of signage to East Street and we also need covered walkways because the weather puts people off."

Ray Morris, manager of the city council and European-funded Romanse road traffic system project, said claims that WestQuay had created mayhem for drivers were unjustified.

He said: "It has not had a detrimental effect.

"With the improvements to West Quay Road, traffic movements have not been greatly affected, although there will be short-term hotspots of queues."

The railway has also become one of the biggest winners as a result of WestQuay.

Inside the centre, stores have reported huge successes. The economic boost appears to have gone beyond simply retailers.

Mayflower Theatre head of marketing Paul Lewis said ten per cent of its ticket sales were now coming from its WestQuay sales point, averaging £12,000 a week.

Business and council leaders say the future is bright for the region.

Southampton Chamber of Commerce says the overall feedback from the retail community is very positive.

City council deputy leader John Arnold, whose dream of more than a decade was realised when the shopping centre opened, said: "WestQuay has considerably enhanced Southamp-ton's reputation, helping to make Southampton the undisputed retail capital of the region.

"Millions of people are now coming to Southampton to visit West-Quay and this in itself is having a very positive impact on the city and the region."

Commenting on the "best high street development award", city council leader June Bridle said: "The award reflects what we in this region were quick to realise.

"WestQuay is a superb retail development which richly deserves to be recognised for the importance of its place in our high street and its leading role as a retail centre in the UK.

"It is particularly pleasing that it was placed ahead of city centre developments in much larger cities."

Vanessa Forster, from developers Hammerson, said: "The award honours everyone who has been involved in the development of this flagship regional shopping centre - including the city council.

"All have worked tremendously hard to make the scheme so successful."