British Home Stores homeware section, Barker and Stonehouse, Laura Ashley home furnishings, CSL home suites, Mamas and Papas, Pets at Home, ScS and Comet could all be trading from the new park in a matter of months.

And in units further round the site, Starbucks, Subway and American diner chain Frankie and Benny's will be offering much-needed refreshments to shoppers.

In recent weeks representatives of the property developers working at the 8.5 hectare site have visited local councils to explain what can be expected from the park, easing fears of traffic congestion and that custom in local towns will be steered towards the new businesses.

Councillors were this week assured Woolworths and Peacocks would not relocate to the new park.

Speaking to Eastwood Town Council on Monday, Andrew McParland of Parlison Properties stressed: "We are not trying to make this into a town centre scheme. There are restrictions on what we can do within that ambit."

Work on the Giltbrook Retail Park began last April and future tenants are expected to be able to start fitting their own units from August.

From October there will be a rolling programme of openings with the whole park open in time for Christmas trading.

When the park is complete, Mr McParland estimates £60m will have been invested in the shops and road network by his company. "Not an inconsiderable amount," he added.

Upon completion the average floor space in the units will range from 7,200 sq ft to 30,000, with 300-400 full time jobs created.

The park will be manned full time by security staff and CCTV cameras will cover the whole site, including the 2,350 car parking spaces.

On-site, all possible environmental initiatives have been taken, including two wind turbines to generate enough power for two to three houses and for on-site management facilities where the CCTV cameras will be operated.

Addressing the traffic concerns, Mr McParland said there would be a new entrance from Giltway and they are investing £410,000 to undertake work on the A610.

The developers have also approached Nottinghamshire County Council regarding the possibility of creating two lanes into the park.

There has also been an application for extra car parking spaces and talk of a shuttle bus to link shoppers with tram stops.