1976: Brent Cross opens, partly financed by London's organised crime. 2016: "Brent Cross kicks off 40th anniversary year by welcoming trio of new brands"

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"Hammerson and Standard Life Investments UK Shopping Centre Trust, joint owners of Brent Cross Shopping Centre, today announce that they have signed up international brands, Urban Decay, Tesla Motors and Smiggle, to join the line-up of retailers at the centre.

"Urban Decay, the leading international make-up brand offering its trend-setting lip, face, body & eye makeup, has signed up to a 399 sq ft unit located next to Kurt Geiger, and is opening its doors today. The signing is a significant move for the brand, becoming only its second standalone store in London.

"Following a successful temporary popup in Brent Cross, Californian based Tesla Motors, the designer and manufacturer of premium electric vehicles, has made the decision to take a permanent 2,060 sq ft unit in the centre. The brand launched its popup store in November 2014, as it looked to build its presence in the UK market by capitalising on consumers’ preference for experiential shopping and interacting with products before buying, and this proved very successful. The new store, which is expected to open in the spring, will become Tesla’s third in London.

"Smiggle, with its range of colourful, fun, fashion-forward stationery, has taken a 768 sq ft unit situated next to Lush in the upper level of the centre. Already a key part of the tenant mix in a number of Hammerson’s 10 UK leading retail destinations and Standard Life Investments’ shopping centres, Smiggle is set to open later this year and will be a popular addition to the centre's diverse line-up of retailer [sic]

"Conrad Bacon, Assistant Director of Retail Asset Management at Hammerson, said:

"These latest signings demonstrate Brent Cross Shopping Centre's continuing ability to attract high-quality international brands. Tesla in particular is a great example of the strength of our commercial approach – and the strength of the location. Now in its fortieth year, the centre continues to be seen as a gateway for international retailers entering the UK."

"Ed Jenkins, Head of UK Retail at Standard Life Investments, added:

"Innovation and insight have always underpinned the way we manage Brent Cross. This is what keeps the centre attractive to new retailers, such as Tesla Motors, Urban Decay and Smiggle, and fresh and exciting for customers."