Oxford: Westgate centre to be replaced by flagship John Lewis store

The long-awaited regeneration of Oxford city centre has begun - with work on the redevelopment of the Westgate shopping centre planned for completion in 2017.

Central to the new-look Oxford will be a John Lewis department store, while about 100 new shops, 122 homes, a cinema, restaurants and a new car park will replace the old and unloved Westgate, which was built in 1973.

The development, which will create more than 3,000 new jobs, will include new city squares, pedestrian walkways and a rooftop terrace.

While the development has been agreed in principle, reserved matters need to be approved by planning authorities. These are likely to be debated next month. Once final approval has been given, bulldozers and cranes will arrive at the site.

The development is being run by Westgate Oxford Alliance, a partnership formed by Land Securities and The Crown Estate.