Castlepoint, Bournemouth – 12 things you may not know

But 20 years ago, Castlepoint was still under construction, due to be opened in October 2003.

Here we explore some facts about the construction that you may - or may not - know.

1. Castlepoint took two years to build

IT cost £275 million and took two years to build, but on October 27, 2003, Bournemouth’s long-awaited Castlepoint shopping centre officially opened.

2. Built on 41-acres of land

Residents watched as the huge 41-acre shopping development slowly grew from a messy demolition site to a state-of-the-art mall and shopping complex.

3. It created 3,500 jobs

Around 3,500e jobs were created and it was hoped the centre would bring new life to the area’s economy as well as attract shoppers who had migrated to other centres elsewhere such as West Quay in Southampton and Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth.

4. It took the place of the Hampshire Centre

The impressive complex, which had been built in place of what was the Hampshire Centre, was developed by Castlepoint Limited Partnership and managed by Castlemore Securities.

5. The project was funded by three investors

Half of the initial funding was provided by Standard Life Investments with Castlemore and Threadneedle Property Investments each putting a further 25 per cent into the pot.

6. The scheme created more than 38 units

The Castlepoint scheme was able to house more than 38 units in total and was split into three parts – a central site and the East and West Villages.

The majority of the stores opened for business from the first day, with the remaining few opening during the next few weeks.

H&M was the only store in the central complex that was to open at a much later date.

7. The units in the East and West Village were opened in 2004

Following on from the successful launch of the central site, the units in the East and West Village were opened in early 2004.

8. The Bournemouth mayor of the time performed the opening

More than 1,000 keen shoppers were at the centre to see then-Bournemouth mayor Cllr Anne Rey cut the ribbon outside the flagship Marks and Spencer store. The occasion was also marked by the release of 1,500 balloons into the sky.

9. It caused traffic chaos for a short while

There were lengthy traffic queues after shoppers flocked to the opening.

All 3,000 car park spaces at the centre were full after the opening attracted widespread news coverage.

Shoppers leaving the centre at rush hour had to queue to get out of the car parks, while staff used stop-go signs to control traffic.

10. More than a million bricks were used

More than a million facing bricks were used in the construction along with 3,500 tonnes of structural steel.

11. More than 700,000 cups of tea were made during construction

Approximately 100 sub-contractors were utilised during the peak of the project with more than 400 men assisting

It is estimated that more than 700,000 cups of tea were drunk by the workforce during the course of the construction.

12. The construction cost more than £275 million

The project cost more than £275 million but the opening was a huge success and the centre is still enjoyed by local shoppers, and some from further afield, to this very day.