The firm was shortlisted alongside contractors Brookfield Multiplex and Laing O’Rourke for the job.

Sources close to the project have revealed that Lend Lease is now being lined up for pre-construction stage services and, should this go well, is expected to be awarded the building contractor role.

Once built, the centre will include 100 shops, 25 restaurants and a multi-screen cinema.

It will involve building an extension above the existing multi-storey car park to house the cinema, extending the west wing of the centre to create retail space and building a multi-storey car park.

The architect is BDP, the cost consultant is Gleeds and the structural engineer is Arup.

Lend Lease declined to comment.