PY Gerbeau, former chief executive of the Millennium Dome, has been appointed as the chief executive of Xscape, the urban sports and shopping concept.

Retail and property company Capital & Regional has appointed Gerbeau to develop Xscape as an international brand.

The first Xscape opened in Milton Keynes in June 2000, with an innovative mix of Europe's largest indoor 'real snow' ski slope, a bowling alley, cinema, bars, restaurants and retail outlets.

Planning permission has been received for the second Xscape in Castleford, Yorkshire, and plans are underway for further sites in Glasgow and Castrop-Rauxel in Germany.

The chief executive of Capital & Regional, Martin Barber, said Gerbeau's skills would be a huge help to the the company's future strategy. 'We realised we needed more than property skills if we were to create an international brand. PY has the marketing and business skills needed to create a broader identity for Xscape.'