Region. Extended hours could affect trading

Westfield aims to make the Sydney CBD a retail destination in a move which could affect trading in regional shopping centres, with plans to extend trading in its $1.2 billion Pitt Street Mall redevelopment by six hours a week. Westfield spokeswoman Julia Clarke said the company was extending the trading hours to help reinstate the city as a retail destination. Some 100 retail outlets are expected to reopen before Christmas as part of the first phase of the redevelopment. The move could affect trading at regional shopping centres, which has been increasing for many years at the expense of that in the Sydney CBD.