THIS week the size of Chelmsford city centre will grow by about a quarter with the grand opening of the long-awaited Bond Street development.

The £150 million shopping complex, with a 90,000 sq ft John Lewis megastore at its heart, has been 14 years in the making.

On Thursday, a host of entertainers will greet guests as they pour through the doors of the shopping mecca from 9.30am.

Stilt walkers, balloon modellers and renowned magician Robert Pound will tread the floor to the backdrop of live jazz from Silk Street, and choral harmonies from the Chelmsford Cathedral Choir.

The development features a host of exciting retail brands, riverside restaurants, a luxury boutique cinema, open public space and a 275-space underground car park.

Headed up by developers Aquila Holdings, the opening launch also marks the introduction of some of the UK’s most famous brands to Essex.

They include Jack Wills, the White Company, Cath Kidston, Joules and the award-winning Foyles Bookshop.

Aquila’s Neil Ridley said: “This is a development inspired by, and designed around the community. We wanted to emulate the design of the traditional high street, and visitors will see that our individual blocks and shops are distinguished by modulating frontages and different materials.

“These famous brands will sit alongside high-quality independent retailers, including Zagger Fashion, which has traded in Chelmsford for 30 years and has chosen to relocate to Bond Street.”

As well as shops, there will be an extensive leisure offering.

Several top-named restaurants will open alongside the river with outside seating a major attraction - Byron Hamburgers, Bills, Ask Italian, Jamaica Blue Café, Coast to Coast and Las Iguanas are set to swing open their doors.

Completing the development is an Everyman cinema. Bond Street will be the boutique chain's first venue in Essex. Unlike the standard seat rows found in multiplex cinemas, film fans will be offered bespoke décor, sofas and a gourmet menu, alongside alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Mr Ridley added: “We will be keeping people connected with free Wi-Fi, and with the walkways remaining open at night, we have 24-hour lighting, manned security and CCTV across the development to offer peace of mind around the clock.”