American discount chain Borders, which sells books, music and movies, opens its 36th UK store on September 23, when the singer behind hits like “Stand and Deliver” and “Prince Charming” will be signing copies of his autobiography.

Coffee shop Starbucks will also open a concession, alongside stationery chain Paperchase in the 20,000 sq.ft store, joining former high street names like Currys, Evans, Mothercare, Next, Argos and Boots. The retail park recently added 30% more floorspace top cope with demand.

The Sunday opening, free parking, and new stores have made the A339/Pinchington junction one of the busiest in Newbury at weekends, and the landlord and council engineers met recently to discuss how to reconfigure the 500-space car park and entrance.

However, it's not all doom and gloom for the town centre. Marks and Spencer in Northbrook Street is exploring the idea of an instore coffee shop, and Next has closed briefly for a refit to its Northbrook Street store, for the final two years of its current lease.