This follows similar increases in each of the last two years as customers continue to choose to visit larger shopping centres with a wide range of attractions.

Releasing the group's interim management statement for the period from 1 January to 17 May, Chief Executive David Fischel said since acquisition, The Trafford Centre has performed strongly.

"We continue to expect 2011 to be a difficult year for consumers but CSC's overall performance for the year to date has been in line with expectations, with progress on lettings to improve the overall tenant mix and in its active management and investment plans."

Occupancy at the Trafford Centre is 97%, with encouraging levels of interest for the 8 vacant units, while footfall for the year to date is up 7% on the same period of 2010, he said.

He added that operational integration has taken place with CSC reorganising into two regions, CSC London and CSC Trafford, led by Kay Chaldecott and Mike Butterworth respectively. The Trafford team has taken responsibility for Braehead, Glasgow, Manchester Arndale and Cribbs Causeway, Bristol.

"The new structure has strengthened the group's overall executive team and sharing of ideas across the two regions will be to the benefit of the group as a whole. An early example of cost savings is the achievement of significant insurance premium reductions for The Trafford Centre by integrating its policies into CSC's group programme. CSC's central construction and development team is now closely involved in Trafford Centre active management projects," he said.

Occupancy across CSC's centres, including for the first time St. David's, Cardiff, remains high at 96.8% from 97.7%. The reduction reflects seasonal fluctuations.

Following the acquisition of The Trafford Centre, CSC has over 2,400 retail, catering and leisure units and pro forma passing rent of around £370 million. 36 new long term lettings have been transacted so far in 2011 for GBP6 million new annual rent, an increase of £2 million on previous rent for those units.

The extension to St David's, Cardiff, is now 86% committed by income and 81% by area compared with 83% and 81% at end December respectively, with a further 7% by income at the heads of terms stage or in detailed negotiation.    

Fischel added that the group continued to make good progress with major plans for Victoria Centre, Nottingham, Lakeside, Thurrock and Braehead, Glasgow.

CSC has not conducted a valuation of its shopping centres since 31 December 2010 and the next independent valuation will be undertaken on 30 June 2011 and published with the first half results on 2 August 2011.