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Brent Cross is best known as the first shopping centre to be built in the UK. Situated at the London end of the M1 motorway on the North Circular in the London Borough of Barnet and taking its name from the River Brent which runs through the site.
It was the first experiment in this style of shopping experience in the UK when it opened in 1976 and was initially constructed in an I shape, with the two largest stores being placed at each end. Subsequent expansion starting in 1995 saw the open parking areas to the north replaced by further shops and multi-storey parking giving the present T shape. Although small by the standards of more recent shopping complexes such as Meadowhall, Bluewater or the Metro Centre in Gateshead it suffers from site area limitations having been built within the conurbation rather than 'out of town'.
On 5 January 2004, the local Council approved a "Development Framework" plan to expand Brent Cross into adjacent land formerly used for offices and to regenerate the surrounding area. The plans are jointly promoted by the Greater London Authority and Barnet Council.
The nearest tube station is on the Northern Line and was renamed from Brent to Brent Cross tube station when the centre opened. The station is quite a walk from the shopping centre. Despite their names, neither the tube station or the shopping centre are located in the London Borough of Brent
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