RETAILERS on Hereford's multi-million pound Old Market development say the centre is exceeding all expectations.

The £90 million project, which has divided opinion among county residents, has now been open for eight months.

One of the most talked about additions on the development was Hereford's first multi-screen cinema.

Paul Donovan, the chief executive of Odeon, which operates the cinema, said: "It's performing way beyond our expectations."

Meanwhile, Debenhams the city's first department store since Chadds closed in 2008, is also pleased with trading so far.

"The store is trading well and exceeded our expectations," said Robert Hadfield, the firm's property developer.

"We've established a strong base of regular customers."

Costa, which opened its second city store on the Old Market says the outlet is one of its most successful openings of 2014.

And Waitrose is equally delighted by the start it has made in Hereford.

"Herefordshire has a long established reputation for producing quality food and drink," said store manager, Peter Falcini.

"With farmers and producers from the region supplying our branches for years, it was a natural ambition to open here if the right opportunity could be found.

"It is therefore great to have been part of revitalising a prominent site within Hereford, injecting new investment to deliver a first class store which ensures we can play our part in bringing people to the city.

"We have enjoyed a fantastic start to trade here and believe the development provides the foundation to build on that success for many years to come.”

Just last month the Old Market was crowned the UK's best new shopping centre during the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) Gold Awards.

It saw off competition from a designer shopping mall in London and a trendy complex in York featuring a huge John Lewis outlet.

Meanwhile, another restaurant is a step closer to moving onto the development.

Wildwood has been granted a premises licence for a vacant unit opposite Costa which would be the 12th Old Market venue serving food and drink.