OWNERS of a £60 million designer outlet due to open shortly in Whiteley, near Fareham, are hoping to quell residents' fears of parking mayhem.

University Superannuation Scheme plans to open later than town centre shops to avoid congestion at the notorious Junction 9 of the M27 at Segensworth, which leads to Whiteley and the 50-shop outlet.

The centre is due to open on November 22 but so far only 16 of the shop premises have been filled. Retail director Andrew Rollings believes USS may have overcome the problem by organising opening and closing hours between 10am and 6pm, thus avoiding rush-hour traffic.

And he believes that 50 per cent of the business will be done at the weekend, anyway.

Mr Rollings said he was happy to speak to any residents to allay any qualms they might have.

The designer shopping village is the first of its kind to be built on the South Coast and will offer not only high street names such as Moss Bros, Cotton Traders and Claire's Accessories but top names such as Versace, Yves St Laurent, Hugo Boss and Dolce and Gabbana with goods on sale at knock-down prices.

"We have the flavour of the designer catwalks from London, New York and Paris," said Mr Rowlings. "We will stock only quality brand goods at everyday savings of a minimum of 30 per cent against the regular price.

"Everyone loves a bargain, for example, Levi 501s are normally £45, but in the designer outlet it will be possible to buy them for anything upwards of £9.99.

"With the November opening we are trying to whet the appetites of other traders. We have been bold because we believe in this project."

Shop names signed up so far are: Suit Co, Proibito, Outdoor Direct, Designer Room, Carlton Luggage, Ponden Mill, Cloverleaf, John Jenkins, Toy Zone, Cotton Traders, Ethos, Banana Stationery, Claire's Accessories, Jane Shilton, Julian Graves and Shoe Collection.

Mr Rollings also said he did not see Portsmouth's planned Gun Wharf Quay development as a rival.

"That is a leisure complex with cinemas and bowling alleys while we are a single purpose retail lifestyle scheme."

The Tesco superstore next door to the retail village will open a week earlier on Monday, November 15.

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