THE first wave of shops are set to open at Didcot’s newly expanded Orchard Centre but the wait goes on for more big name announcements.

Some six brands will unveil their new shops on Thursday, with residents able to shop in Marks & Spencer food hall, H&M, TK Maxx, River Island, Boots and Starbucks for the first time.

It is not yet known when the other two confirmed brands, Nando’s and Costa Coffee, will move in.

The highly anticipated £50million redevelopment is seen as a key part of the Didcot Garden Town initiative, which will see 15,000 new homes built in the town.

When complete it will create space for 21 new shops and seven new cafes and restaurants but still less than a third of these have confirmed tenants.

Mayor Jackie Billington said she still believes the new centre will be a ‘big boost’ for Didcot and the units will eventually be filled.

She added: “It’s going to get a lot more people visiting the town.”

Brands have promised deals and theatrics to celebrate the start of trading with H&M offering goodie bags for the first 200 customers and M&S planning an Easter-themed launch.

To celebrate the reopening, South Oxfordshire District Council and developers Hammerson are encouraging the public to come up with names for a new square, which has been created as part of the extension.

People have until 5pm on April 20 to send in suggestions and the council wants names with a historical connection to the town or that tie in with the ‘futuristic work’ going on in the science and technology parks of the region.

Councillor Tony Harbour said this was an ‘excellent opportunity’ as the square will be known by the chosen name for generations.

He added: “The new square will be at the heart of the town, providing an important pedestrian link between new shops and the independent shops on Broadway.”

The council has also said that the square will host outdoor tables and chairs as part of ‘alfresco’ dining options and be a place for community events and markets.

Thomas Cochrane, development manager at Hammerson said: “We look forward to finding a name for the new square that celebrates Didcot and what makes the town special.”

Meanwhile Hammerson has announced the first events which will be held at the centre with a new ‘pop-up’ temporary space hosting two weeks of free yoga sessions from the opening day.

Opposite the new TK Maxx store, the classes have space for 30 people and will run daily, except Sundays, until April 7 at 11.30am and 1pm.

On March 31, a special yoga session will cater for mothers and their new babies.

The developer is promising a number of events and offers over the coming months.