The former Britannia Centre Spandau, previously known as British Forces Families Centre (BFFC), was built in 1990 by the PSA for the British Authorities on the site where Spandau Prison was once located. Britannia Centre Spandau centralised the main shopping, welfare, employment and broadcasting facilities for the British military community in Berlin. The Britannia Centre consisted of a new shopping and cinema complex, as well as five existing and completely refurbished two and three-story buildings. It was opened in phases between September 1990 and mid-1991. Its buildings are located at the junction of Wilhelmstraße and Gatower Straße next to the former Smuts Barracks in the Wilhelmstadt in Spandau. Facilities Shopping centre SSVC – Sound and Vision Centre British Forces Post Office – sub office NAAFI Financial Services His & Hers Hair Studio YMCA – book and gift shop NAAFI – "A-type" shop Burger King restaurant Cinema complex Jerboa cinema (with 230 seats) Public information area Bus waiting area Bank cash point (ATM) Existing buildings NAAFI – Area administration NAAFI – Imperial Staff Club Wool shop HIVE YMCA administration and staff facilities Child minding centre BMWS – Berlin Military Welfare Service Brigade Travel Office Thrift shop RAOC tailor facility Complex manager Station Staff Office (SSO) Community RMP Office PCLU Anglo-German Club SSVC engineering workshops BFBS studios and offices History On 1 August 1946, the Summit House on Theodor-Heuss-Platz was formally opened as a NAAFI Club and was adapted to the changing needs over the years. In 1977 a study recommended the construction of a new facility. At the same time the future of Spandau Prison was put to diplomatic negotiations. In 1982 a Four Power Agreement was reached, which included a statement from the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Richard von Weizsäcker, that Spandau Prison should be demolished as quickly as possible after the death of its lone inmate Rudolf Hess. Five weeks after the death of Hess on 17 August 1987 at 1610 hours, the demolition of Spandau Prison began and was completed on 4 November 1987. In May 1988 the construction of the new facility started and was finished on 18 September 1990. The name Britannia Centre was chosen by competition from over 40 entries. The shopping centre was also nicknamed Hessco's after the well known British supermarket chain, Tesco, and the prison's final occupant. After British withdrawal After the Berlin Infantry Brigade was dissolved in mid-1994 the Britannia Centre