British food chain Waitrose is set to open a 26,000 sq ft store in the Akoya by Damac Retail Centre.

Set within the 42 million sq ft golf and lifestyle community in Dubai, the shop will be the eighth outlet to open in the UAE under a licence through the retailer's partnership with Fine Fare Food Market (FFFM).

Akoya by Damac is a fully-integrated lifestyle community which includes international schools, a boutique hotel and spa.

Niall McLoughlin, senior VP, Damac Properties, said: “Waitrose is the ideal anchor tenant for the Akoya by Damac Retail Centre. The fresh food and stylish home ware available will provide residents with everything they need.”

The retail centre will cover a total of 94,500 sq ft with upscale casual dining options, cafes, a pharmacy, travel agency, dry cleaners, opticians and a host of fashion stores.

Construction at the site is already well underway, with the first handover of units scheduled for completion by the end of 2015. - TradeArabia News Service