Festival Centre, the award winning retail resort of Dubai Festival City, has expanded its retail profile with fourteen more diverse stores over the last three months.

“Festival Centre has been recognised as the best retail development by The Arabian Property Awards 2010; it’s a coveted award which has been achieved by the unmatched diversity of retailers comprising many firsts in UAE and the region,” stated Philip Evans, director of Commercial and Retail Leasing at Al Futtaim Group Real Estate (Afgre).

“We’ve recently added another first for UAE in Beliza Jewellers for premium quality jewellery, and two first for Dubai in Yabroud Jewellery for high grade watches and jewellery and Canterbury Clothing for unisex rugby sportswear, apparel and accessories.

“Our food and beverage offerings brings Burj Al Hamam – a tradition of excellent Lebanese family cuisine for over 40 years and Karam Beirut – home to the Karam family’s time honoured dishes from Beirut with one of the largest menus. We are looking forward to more local and global brands joining our retail mix shortly.”

Among the new brands added to the Festival Centre family is, Sacoche – bags and accessories, Noura Ashley – displaying Jalabiya, Abaya, ladies textiles, evening gowns and other related fashion accessories, LadyBird – kids fashion, footwear, underwear and nightwear, Stepss - Canadian operator for selling multi brand boots, shoes and accessories, Promise Lingerie – lingerie and swim wear, Beyond The Beach – unisex sports, beach, fashion wear & accessories, Khaadi - specialising in hand woven fashion, fabrics and home accessories, and Ride – mountain bikes and other related extreme sports products, apparel, footwear and accessories, being renamed and extended.

Another award-winning jewellery retailer at the mall is Pure Gold Jewellery.

Soon to open, Thomsun Pure Music, a member of the Thomsun Group of companies which has been operating in Dubai and the Middle East since 1976, is scheduled to join the Festival Centre family. Two additional areas will soon be operational for the store consisting of training and dance as well as retail and wholesale.

Further openings comprise, Lottusse – mens and women’s shoes, bags and leather accessories, Chen One focused on home furniture, tableware, bath  and bedding.

Culinary specialities at the mall include Le Relais de l'Entrecôte – the famed French family steakhouse, Chi’Zen – high-end Chinese restaurant from the famous Zen franchise, and Isfahan – for Beriani and Iranian food. To follow are the combined store/restaurant Chocopologie - for those with a sweet tooth, Brooklyn Diner – for fans of urban-style ambience, and Fish & Co – for seafood.

Fruits & Passion, a well established Canadian personal care and ambience products maker is also set to open shop at the mall.-TradeArabia News Service