V2 (shopping centre)

Aushopping V2 (commonly known as V2) is a French shopping centre located in Villeneuve-d'Ascq in the Nord department, designed by architect Jean Willerval and inaugurated on 8 November 1977. It was conceived as the commercial heart of the new town of Villeneuve-d'Ascq, which was created in 1969 as part of the Lille-Est development. At the time of its opening it was the largest shopping centre north of Paris, and as late as 2004 it remained the largest commercial zone in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The centre is anchored by an Auchan hypermarket and includes more than 150 shops spread over two levels, surrounded by numerous additional retail brands. It is directly served by line 1 of the Lille metro at the Villeneuve-d'Ascq – Hôtel de Ville station, as well as by several Ilévia bus lines and the RN 227 road. The centre belongs to three co-owners: Rodamco Europe, Auchan and Agapes. V2 has been expanded and renovated several times, notably in 1989 and again between 2004 and 2006. A major adjacent leisure and cinema development, Heron Parc, was proposed as early as 1991, revived in 2007 and opened in summer 2009 with a UGC cinema and around fifteen restaurants, leisure outlets and offices. In 2012 the centre experimented with biometric finger payment. Economically, V2 is a major driver of Villeneuve-d'Ascq's retail activity; in February 2000 it accounted for 56% of the town's total retail turnover, and its Auchan hypermarket ranked among the top 50 French hypermarkets by revenue in the late 2000s. The centre operates under the Aushopping banner, Auchan's shopping-centre brand, and remains an active regional retail destination. Its official website is lecentrev2.com.

The creation of the new town of Villeneuve-d'Ascq was decided in 1969 under the first decrees on new towns as part of the Lille-Est development. The shopping centre was planned from the outset to serve as the town centre. In 1977 the first homes were occupied in the Hôtel de Ville district, and the shopping centre opened its doors on 8 November 1977. Designed by architect Jean Willerval, it was at the time the largest shopping centre north of Paris and remained in 2004 the largest commercial zone in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. From 1983, with the commissioning of the Lille metro, the centre was served by its first line. The first restaurant of the Amarine chain opened in the shopping centre in 1990. The centre was enlarged for the first time in 1989, and in 2004 it began redevelopment works that were completed in 2006. A project for a cinema and cultural complex, envisaged with British developer Heron International, was planned near V2. Known as Heron Parc, it was discussed as early as 1991 and revived in 2007. Heron Parc opened in summer 2009 with the opening of the UGC cinema in mid-November, along with around fifteen restaurants, leisure shops and offices (some brands withdrew). In 2012, biometric finger payment was trialled there. The centre belongs to three co-owners: Rodamco Europe, Auchan and Agapes. It is served by the Villeneuve-d'Ascq – Hôtel de Ville metro station on line 1, four Ilévia bus lines, and the RN 227 road. The hypermarket, under the Auchan banner, and the commercial galleries are spread over two levels. The centre includes more than 150 shops and is surrounded by many other brands that have located in its immediate vicinity. Economically, the centre has strong commercial appeal and is tied to the economic life of Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 1997 the Auchan hypermarket reportedly had a turnover of 1.5 billion francs, while in February 2000 the V2 shopping centre had a turnover of 2.23 billion francs, or 56% of the total turnover of Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2007 the Auchan hypermarket had a turnover of €192.9 million, up 2.77% year on year, ranking 41st nationally among hypermarkets. For 2008 it gained one place with €195.8 million in turnover, an increase of 1.5%, ranking behind the Auchan stores of Louvroil and Boulogne-sur-Mer.

• 2012

  Biometric finger payment trialled at the centre.

• 2009

  Heron Parc opens in summer; UGC cinema opens mid-November.

• 2007

  Heron Parc project revived.

• 2006

  Redevelopment works completed.

• 2004

  Redevelopment works begin; centre remains the largest commercial zone in Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

• 1991

  Heron Parc cinema and cultural complex project first discussed.

• 1990

  First Amarine chain restaurant opens in the shopping centre.

• 1989

  First expansion of the centre.

• 1983

  Served by the first line of the Lille metro.

• 1977

  Shopping centre inaugurated on 8 November 1977, designed by Jean Willerval.

• 1969

  Creation of the new town of Villeneuve-d'Ascq decided; shopping centre planned as the town centre.

Regional shopping centre and commercial hub of Villeneuve-d'Ascq, anchored by an Auchan hypermarket and operated under the Aushopping banner.

• Auchan hypermarket

• 150+ retail shops

• UGC cinema (Heron Parc)

• Restaurants and leisure outlets

1. 1V2 (centre commercial) - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org
2. 2V2商业中心 - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Home - PanierMalinlecentrev2.com
4. 4About - PanierMalinlecentrev2.com
5. 5Services - PanierMalinlecentrev2.com