A CLYDE North man has been charged with nine offences including attempted murder after allegedly attacking his wife with an axe yesterday inside Westfield Fountain Gate shopping centre.

The alleged attacker, 45, was remanded in custody overnight after being denied bail in an out-of-sessions hearing at Narre Warren police station.

media_camera Police officers at a scene of an axe attack at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. Picture: AAP/ Alex Murray

media_camera A woman was savagely attacked at a major Melbourne shopping centre. Picture: AAP

Police allege the man carried an axe through the centre in a shopping bag.

Detective Senior Constable Brad Coller said the accused would face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Police believe the couple are currently separated.

The woman, believed to be in her 30s, was taken to The Alfred hospital in a serious but stable condition with injuries to her upper body.

The Alfred confirmed the woman had been admitted.

DEVELOPING: Police arrest a man following an attack on a woman inside Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. The woman is in a stable condition. pic.twitter.com/471cLZ26NV — 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) March 27, 2017

Shops have been blocked off at Fountain Gate after an axe attack on a woman - man has been arrested @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/b1id4yO6K5 — Estelle Griepink (@EstelleGriepink) March 27, 2017

Businesses around The Beauty and Brow Parlour were cordoned off while police investigated.

Witness Trevor told 3AW it was a chaotic scene in the mall.

“There was a bit of pandemonium there until security and the other police got on site,” ​he said.

An assistant manager at a nearby Jewellery store, Tracey Wilson, said staff were shocked.

“All we heard was yelling and screaming,” she said.

“I ran out and heard somebody say ‘call security’.

“Then we heard there had been an axing of a staff member from one of the stores.

“(It has made me feel) a bit on edge.”