Planning's underway to fill several empty premises in Auckland's Newmarket

The first stage of the 790-million dollar Westfield redevelopment opened its doors yesterday, after 18 months under construction.

It's already attracted new businesses to the area, but at the same time many have relocated from the main street into the mall.

Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff-Thomas says there's about twenty stores that will be left vacant - some of which they've already filled.

He says they've been anticipating it for a while and have been working on a long-term strategy to attract more retailers to the area.