The award winning Highcross was the product of a refurbishment of the original Shires shopping centre with a 500,000sq ft extension including a 230,000 sq ft John Lewis department store, and a 90,000 sq ft 12 screen Cinema de Lux. In all, the scheme, completed in 2008, comprises around 1.1 million sq ft including bars and restaurants, and 120 residential units.