LIVERPOOL One’s chief executive has defended the £1bn centre from claims that it has sucked trade from the rest of Liverpool and other North West towns.

Experian’s latest Retail Insight Report says UK shopping centre footfall this month was down 2.2% on October last year.

The report said 8m sqft of floor space had been added to UK high streets this year, and warned that falling consumer spending meant there could be too much retail capacity.

Experian’s director of retail consultancy, Jonathan de Mello, said Liverpool One’s first few months had a “negative impact” on towns such as Wigan and the rest of Liverpool city centre.

But Liverpool One chief executive Joanne Jennings says the entire city centre has had a strong year as the opening of Liverpool One, combined with successful Capital of Culture events, has drawn people into the city and helped increase footfall.

She said it was “not helpful” at a time of economic slowdown to give the impression that Liverpool city centre was struggling or divided, and said the city’s whole retail centre was benefiting from strong footfall.

Mr de Mello said: “This year has seen the opening of an unprecedented number of new shopping centres, and while some have clearly moved their towns up the retail rankings, such as Liverpool from 15th place to 5th place, others have had less of a positive impact, particularly in the current economic climate.

“For every winner there is a loser, and Liverpool has clearly had a negative effect on towns such as Wigan, and even the rest of Liver- pool , with John Lewis moving into the Liverpool One scheme.”

But Ms Jennings said: “We know that the number of people coming through the city has increased significantly in the last year.

“We’re not saying it’s all down to Liverpool One. We’re hopeful that we’re helping, but it is Capital of Culture year and that is bringing people to the city. But our neighbours are reporting that footfall is up.”

alistairhoughton