A new retail destination in Oxford is officially underway, due for completion in Autumn 2017. Westgate has been anticipated for over four years in the town of Oxfordshire and as a £440m development in one of the UK‘s most historic cities, it‘s no wonder. The venture is a joint one between Land Securities (behind Trinity Leeds) and The Crown Estate (behind Oxford Street).
The building work on site is already underway, following preparation that started in 2011, and coincides with several leasing commitments from retailers including Michael Kors, H&M, Superdry, Schuh and Next. The centre will include a bespoke flagship John Lewis as well as a boutique screening room from Curzon Cinemas.
Westgate Oxford will be more than 800,000 sq ft to include 100 new stores, 25 restaurants and cafes, the boutique cinema, roof top terrace dining with unseen views of the dreaming spires of Oxford, and a wealth of new public spaces. The development has been welcomed as a rare opportunity for retailers to reach a broad audience of tourists, residents and visitors from an affluent catchment area.
Robert Noel, Chief Executive for Land Securities said: “We‘ve taken a significant step towards creating our vision for a world-class retail and leisure destination in Oxford, having worked hard with our customers and the community to shape the right scheme. Alongside our growing list of customers, we are committed to creating a new Westgate Oxford which not only complements the city‘s beauty and heritage status but also enhances its global reputation as a great place to spend time.”
Westgate is expected to create around 3,400 retail positions opening up once the centre is completed in 2017.
