SPANISH fashion giants Zara and Mango will be the latest well-known additions to the big retail names at the Westgate Centre.

The shopping complex, which reopened in October following a £440m revamp, is now about 95 per cent let.

But there are still large units which have not yet opened including those which will be filled by Zara and Mango.

Zara is part of Inditex, the biggest fashion group in the world, which operates over 7,200 stores in 93 markets worldwide, while Mango is Barcelona-based.

thisisoxfordshire:

Zara will move into its 39,500sq ft store across three storeys in the North Arcade, close to the Bonn Square entrance, while Mango will move in next door at a date to be fixed.

Zara spokeswoman Julia Gambarini said: “The aim is to open our new Westgate store in December.”

No opening date for Zara has been provided but it is expected that it would open in time for Christmas.

When Zara opens its new store at the Westgate it is expected that its existing store at the Clarendon Centre will close.

Staff will be transferred and some new jobs will be created.

Discount clothing chain TK Maxx will take the place of Zara at the Clarendon Centre but a centre spokesman said TK Maxx was on schedule to open in spring.

Retail expert Keith Slater said the new openings created excitement among shoppers at a time when high street stores were competing more and more with online sales.

thisisoxfordshire:

He added: “I’m a fan of the Westgate’s design, I like the way it is not completely enclosed.

“The number of shoppers in the first six months exceeded managers expectations but we will have to look closely at the figures for the year next month.

“A centre of that size should be taking about £360m a year and hopefully that will be achieved.”

Mr Slater urged centre managers to boost its marketing in the run-up to Christmas.

He added: “The Alice in Wonderland campaign for the opening was quite distinctive and Westgate needs to do more of that – it’s important to have a good TV ad, particularly at this time of year.”

Mr Slater warned that Black Friday on November 23, where goods are heavily discounted, could have a detrimental effect on some traders.

He added: “Black Friday is quite close to Christmas. Some shoppers take advantage by returning goods and then buy items even cheaper on promotion.”