More than one million people will have visited York's designer outlet before Christmas, it was announced today.

However, city trade representatives said it was too early to say whether the new £64 million McArthurGlen Outlet near Fulford had enticed shoppers away from the city centre.

The designer outlet is attracting on average 10,000 shoppers a day. This follows on from its record-breaking opening weekend when the shopping centre attracted a staggering 100,000 in just two days.

Staff at the outlet, built on the former Naburn Hospital site, say they have been astounded by the number of people who have visited the site since it opened three weeks ago.

And more of the country's top designer labels have revealed they will be opening stores at the shopping complex.

Cerruti, Dolce & Gabbana, Thomas Pink, Wolford lingerie and Marilyn Moore will all be opening in the McArthurGlen outlet near Fulford in the New Year.

The Body Shop will also be opening a discount store in the new year, which is expected to attract scores of visitors to the designer label haven.

These stores will join the Ted Baker, Margaret Howell, The Watch Store, Calvin Klein and Birthday and Scene shops, which opened this week.

The £64 million designer outlet centre is already the home of the first discount Armani store, which is one of the most popular stores at the centre.

Phase One of the shopping centre will be fully occupied after the arrival of new stores in the New Year.

The centre's Phase Two, which promises to bring an extra 70 outlets, will open in a year's time, and is expected to create a further 700 jobs. The American shopping experience promises up to 50 per cent off some of the country's leading designer labels.

Marketing manager Amanda Wright said the Armani store had been particularly busy and staff at the new Ted Baker store couldn't get stock onto the shelves quick enough.

"I don't think people realise just how much there is here. Most shoppers think there's going to be a couple of designer shops," she said.

The outlet's opening hours have been extended to 8pm on Monday to Friday in the run-up to Christmas.

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