Land Securities starts Westgate Oxford

Land Securities with the Crown Estate start work on £440m million development in Oxford centre.

The project in the heart of Oxford city centre will transform the existing Westgate shopping centre into an 800,000 sq. ft. shopping and leisure destination due for completion in autumn 2017. The new Westgate Oxford will include over 100 new stores, 25 restaurants and cafes, a boutique cinema, roof top terrace dining and a wealth of new public spaces.

The first foundations of the 100,000-sq ft John Lewis anchor store have begun, marking the official launch of construction after the successful completion of preparatory works and demolition of the pre-existing car park.

John Lewis acquisitions and development manager, Andrew Mills, said: “Oxford has long been a sought after location for us so it’s great see construction work started on site. Our John Lewis Oxford flexible format shop at Westgate Oxford will enable us to bring our award-winning product assortments to a new area and customer base for the first time.”