GATESHEAD'S MetroCentre will regain its title as the largest shopping and leisure centre in Europe when its new extension opens tomorrow.
The Red Mall includes a 180,000sq ft Debenhams store.
The rest of the site has been let to 22 retailers, including H&M, Schuh, Karen Millen and French Connection.
The £85m project also involves a 1,100-space car park, a new public transport interchange, and infrastructure and road improvements.
The addition of a new bus lane aims to make bus journeys faster.
At the opening ceremony, at 10am, 18,000 balloons will be released, and there will be an acrobatic display, and music from the Normandy Military Band.
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