Westgate Oxford reopening date announced

The development in the city centre will eventually have more than 100 shops

Oxford's transformed Westgate shopping complex will reopen its doors in October 2017 following its £440m facelift, it has been announced.

The development in the city centre will eventually have more than 100 shops, 25 restaurants and cafes, a cinema and 61 flats.

There will also be a 1,000-space underground car park, rooftop terrace dining and new public spaces.

Westgate Oxford Alliance said it was the start of a "two-year countdown".

The centre is about 30% pre-let, and will include a John Lewis department store, Curzon Cinemas, H&M, Michael Kors, Superdry, Primark, Next, Schuh, Goldsmiths, River Island and Sticks'n'Sushi.

Andreas Karlsson, managing director at Sticks'n'Sushi UK, said the development offered a "unique destination" for the chain.

"The rooftop terrace will have breathtaking views over the famous Oxford city skyline making it the perfect setting," he said.

Westgate Oxford Alliance said the development would "create around 3,400 jobs in and around Oxford" when complete.

The centre is about 30% pre-let, including a John Lewis department store and Curzon Cinemas