This week they announced they will open an enlarged 10-screen cinema catering for 1,400 people as part of the centre, set to be the largest outside Dublin when it is completed.

They have also secured deals on eight new retail lettings in the centre, confirming that both Zara and River Island will be among the top names when the centre opens in April.

The other names to join are Sasha, Clarke's, Club Denim, Nature's Way, Dr.

China, and the Perfume Shop.

The cinema will include a food hall and have its own 180-space car park A planning application has been submitted to Kildare County Council to locate the cinema on the Bradshaw site at the corner of the Athgarvan and Kilcullen roads. In addition, to its dedicated car spaces, access will also be available in the shopping centre car park.

"The original proposal was for five or six screens but our research showed that now a top quality cinema offering is a minimum of eight screens, so we decided to upgrade our original plans to ten screens, " says development manager Gary Cooper.

The cinema's planning application will go through the standard planning procedure and, as part of the normal process, people can submit views and comments on the proposed development.

The Whitewater management team also confirmed that it intends to host discussions with Ireland's leading cinema management companies to ensure the service offered will be of the highest standard.

On the retail side, Zara is taking a two-storey unit of 950 sq m, while River Island is to open its 16th Irish store with an 800sq m unit.

Irish-owned fashion store Sasha, will occupy a ground floor unit of about 370 sq m.

Gary Cooper, is delighted with the signing of the eight stores because the store needs to achieve "must visit" status among shoppers in Kildare, as well as from further afield in Carlow, Kilkenny, Westmeath and Offaly.

"Our clear aim is to become the leading high fashion entity outside Dublin and we are on track to achieving this, " says Cooper.

Over 60 shops are to open in Whitewater, which is anchored by Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and H &M.

Letting agents are Hamilton Osborne King and Colm McEvoy Auctioneers.