THE CONSTRUCTION phase has begun on the new Westgate centre after the last remaining parts of the old car park were finally demolished.

Demolition of the multi-storey car park, which stood on the site beside the shopping centre since 1974, started in February.

On Tuesday developers said they had completed the demolition and preparatory works and were ready to start laying the foundations of the site’s new John Lewis store.

When the department store is completed it will take up 100,000 sq ft of a total 800,000 sq ft in the new shopping centre.

Westgate Oxford Alliance development director Bert Martin said: “We are delighted to announce the official launch of construction at Westgate Oxford, which will provide a fantastic, world-class shopping and leisure destination for the city.

“The first phase of the project will see foundations laid for the new underground car park which will deliver more than 1,000 spaces, providing easy access into the new centre as well as Oxford city centre.

“We are committed to supporting local employment as part of the new development, working alongside the city and county councils, the City of Oxford College and the local job centre network to bring new job opportunities to people in the area.”

Work on the centre is due to be completed in autumn 2017 and, as well as the three-storey John Lewis, it will include a five-screen Curzon cinema and about 70 new shops.

Developers have said the £400m redevelopment will create about 3,400 new jobs, as well as 1,000 construction jobs during the building phase.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price was one of those who marked the official start of construction at the site on Tuesday.

He said: “This is a fantastic new development for the area and a large project offering various new job opportunities to local people.

“We would encourage anyone who would like more information about the new positions available to contact their local job centre.”

It is hoped the overhaul of the shopping centre will boost Oxford’s shopping credentials to rival nearby cities such as Reading and Milton Keynes.

The redevelopment will also see the existing mall off Bonn Square refurbished.

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for business Nick Carter said: “ Today we are delighted to see how far the new development has progressed and to announce new employment opportunities for the local area.”

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 assortment to a new area and customer base for the first time.”