MAJOR retailers have flocked to fill a multimillion pound development set to transform a Hampshire village and create more than 1,000 jobs.

Whiteley’s previous designer outlet centre has been reduced to rubble over the past few weeks – but high street giants are already lining up for a space in the redesigned £64m shopping area planned at the site.

The Whiteley Co- Ownership Trust, which is behind the scheme, have announced that 50 per cent of the retail floor area has been pre-let – with Marks and Spencer and Next set to anchor the new development.

Employ Other big names, including H&M, Boots, JD Sports, Bank, Sports Direct, Frankie & Benny’s and Starbucks have also signed up for space at the revamped shopping centre.

Due to be completed in spring 2013, there will be a total of 50 units, which will be filled with local and national retailers, restaurants and cafés.

With construction and retail jobs set to be created, developers say the entire scheme will employ more than 1,000 people.

Work on building the new shops will begin in early 2012, once the existing site has been fully cleared.