RETAIL property specialists at Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) says Portsmouth has stepped up its challenge as a shopping rival to Southampton as the city prepares for the opening of a £16.2m development, which includes a sports superstore.

Agents at LSH’s South Coast office predict that Portsmouth Retail Park in North Harbour will continue to “rebalance” the retail offer in south Hampshire, where Southampton has traditionally dominated.

The comments come as global sports retailer Decathlon announces its superstore at the retail park will be open by Easter 2018.

John Butt, a director in the retail agency at LSH’s South Coast offices, said: “Much has been said about the strength of online retail, but bricks and mortar developments are still being taken and are now emerging in more varied formats than the older style retail parks.

“This is nearly 500,000 square feet of retail space and indicates the buoyant economy of the region.”