Problems have escalated at Oxford’s shopping centre after several lifts broke causing major queues.

Westgate Shopping Centre in the heart of the city has three levels of shops and restaurants and is visited by thousands of shoppers a day.

Yet the escalator close to Primark has been out of use since earlier this year meaning the only other way to access the top floor has been via the lifts or the other escalator.

Disaster struck though at the weekend when the second escalator also broke down along with two lifts.

READ MORE: Weeks of broken Westgate escalator frustrating Oxford shoppers

Queues of frustrated customers began to form at the other lift as they aimed to reach the highest level of the complex where most of the restaurants are housed.

A spokeswoman for Westgate Oxford said: “On Saturday evening one of our escalators was out of order, but has been back in use since Sunday morning.

“During this brief period, our team were on hand to help direct guests to alternative routes.

Oxford Mail: The lift has also broken down The lift has also broken down (Image: Newsquest)“When the issue arose, additional stairs were opened immediately, leading from outside Next on the Upper Mall to outside The Alchemist on the roof terrace.

“These are not open to the public during normal operations as they are designed for use as an escape route in the event of an evacuation.”

“We do have two out-of-service lifts which usually service the Roof Terrace.

“Whilst we await their repair, there are a number of alternative routes to access our Roof Terrace."