Union Square, a major new £275m retail and leisure development in the centre of Aberdeen, has opened its doors to the public after a decade in the pipeline.

The 65,000sq m (700,000sq ft) complex, which is the first major scheme to be built in Aberdeen for more than 20 years, includes a 230-bedroom Jury's Inn hotel, a Cineworld cinema and restaurants. Hammerson, the international property company, was behind the project after it acquired full control of the Union Square Developments vehicle in 2006 after buying out Multiplex's half of the scheme.

The company previously held the other half of the development after the acquisition of Railtrack Developments in 2001, which had formed part of a joint venture with Stannifer Developments for the Union Square plans. David Atkins, chief executive of Hammerson, said: "The fact that such a large proportion of retailers opening today are new to both Aberdeen and Scotland demonstrates huge confidence in Union Square.

"The people of Aberdeen now have access to international brands in a striking new development right on their doorstep."