Albany mall stores reopen

Westfield Albany following yesterday's tornado. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The majority of shops at the Westfield's Albany shopping centre are now open following yesterday's tornado.

Westfield New Zealand PR manager Debra McGhie said stores including Kmart and the majority of retailers along the top level of the shopping centre, had reopened by noon.

New World supermarket is due to open at 1pm, while many of the stores along the lower level of the mall, including Farmers and Event Cinemas, remain closed.

Justin Lynch, director of Westfield New Zealand, which owns the mall, earlier said the shopping centre was working with local authorities who were undertaking safety and structural checks on the building, following yesterday's tornado.

"Due to the safety of our retailers and customers being of primary importance a methodical approach to reopening the centre is being undertaken," he said.

A list of stores now open, is expected to be published on Westfield's website, shortly.

- Susie Nordqvist