DEVELOPERS are forging ahead with the construction of the £440m Westgate Shopping Centre with the first frontage set to be finished in just two months.

The existing Bonn Square facade is being replaced by a curved entrance, topped with a lantern featuring 78 glass panes and is due for completion in November.

The new centre is expected to open in October 2017, featuring a three-storey John Lewis department store, a five-screen Curzon cinema, 100 new shops including Primark, H&M and Next, and a rooftop garden area.

City council leader Bob Price said developers were making good progress with the Bonn Square facade and it was due for completion by the end of November.

Mr Price added: "Everything is going very well - people should be able to see the new facade by the end of November.

"The construction of the John Lewis store is also moving along very well and I had a recent meeting with project directors - everything is on schedule."

Mr Price said developers were pleased with "the rate of sign-up" for retailers who will be occupying new shop units and 25 cafes and restaurants, some of which will be on a rooftop terrace.

He added: "The lettings front looks extremely positive - all the restaurant spaces bar one unit have been let for the roof terrace."

Oxford Central Library moved to the Oxford Castle in February on a temporary basis while work is taking place.

Mr Price added that Lorraine Lindsay-Gayle, the county councillor in charge of library services, has been keeping an eye on progress so she can plan for the library to move back.

Claudia Maedan, who works behind the bar at the Cow and Creek pub in New Road, said: "Lots of customers are talking about the Westgate Centre work but it doesn't put them off coming in.

"I'm looking forward to going shopping there when it reopens."

The scheme to revamp the centre is being undertaken by the Crown Estate and Land Securities, who form the Westgate Oxford Alliance and say the redevelopment is creating about 3,400 new jobs.

Sara Fuge, development manager for the Westgate Oxford Alliance, said: "As construction on site continues to progress, we’re getting closer every day to realising our vision.

"We remain on track to bring a world-class retail and leisure destination to Oxford in October 2017."

Buses have been removed from Queen Street on a temporary basis while construction work takes place but Oxfordshire County Council is consulting on proposals to make pedestrianisation permanent.