The opening of the new Parkway shopping centre in Newbury last week was a key development in the retail calendar in 2011 for reasons more than the fact that Porterfield’s own chief executive is a resident there.

The opening has been significant because it is the last of just a trio of new developments to have opened this year with the next opening not until Trinity Leeds in 2013.

But it was no easy task getting to the delivery of the 300,000 sq ft centre which is anchored by the likes of Debenhams. The project lay on the drawing board for nearly 30 years and it took lengthy and complex negotiations between West Berkshire Council, Shearer Property Group and funding partner Standard Life to bring the scheme to life. The fact that the trio had the guts to see the development through is commendable for at times it would surely have been easier for them to simply walk away – leaving the town squandering in the retail doldrums.

But instead they have delivered a new Debenhams store three times the size of the existing one in the Kennet centre, as well as key fashion brands such as Superdry, Topshop and H&M – all of which means that Parkway has brought a whole new dimension of retailing to Newbury.

In addition the stores are complemented by a modern streetscape and finishes that fit in easily with the neighbouring but more traditional retail pitches of Northbrook Street, Market Place and Bartholomew Street.

The opening attracted more than 30,000 curious visitors – just less than the entire population of Newbury itself. But what Standard Life, West Berkshire Council and Shearer Property Group have achieved is not just a retail centre that finally befits Newbury but as importantly one that will also attract shoppers from all across affluent West Berkshire and north Hampshire.

There remain several unopened stores currently, including the much anticipated John Lewis at Home but these should open in the next few months and in the current tough climate it is not right to criticise a centre for failing to open fully let.

Parkway is good news all round. It strengthens the appeal of the town centre to shoppers and retailers, stops retail leakage to Basingstoke and Reading, and puts Newbury on the retail map as the last town to have a new shopping development for at least two years.