IT HAD stood in the centre of Oxford for more than four decades.
But it took workers just four months to reduce the Westgate Shopping Centre’s multi-storey car park to rubble.
Since February, workers from demolition firm Squibb have been slowly dismantling it with some mighty machinery.
The unloved four-storey 1970s structure has to come down to make way for two new shopping arcades, part of the centre’s massive £440m overhaul.
It will also see the existing mall building off Bonn Square refurbished and an underground car park built underneath the new sections.
The new centre will include a John Lewis store, 100 shops and a five-screen Curzon cinema.
The area around the Westgate is also to be overhauled with trees, shrubs and cycle parking.
Like most people, Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said he would not miss the multi-storey car park.
He said: “I first saw the car park in 1970 when I was here for a research project at the Nuffield Library.
“I walked down the road and couldn’t believe how ugly it was.
“And my opinion hasn’t changed.”
Developer Westgate Oxford Alliance this week released a video about the development, which can be found at westgateoxford.co.uk/YourWestgate
There is also a webcam providing live images every 20 minutes of the construction site between 7am and 7pm every day.
The firm – a partnership between The Crown Estate and Land Securities – is set to finish construction in autumn 2017, with the scheme expected to create 3,400 jobs.
The multi-storey car park first opened to customers in 1974 and a temporary car park has been set up on the other side of Oxpens Road until the redevelopment is finished.
The shopping centre’s overhaul – first suggested in 1988 – will be the culmination of more than 25 years of effort.
Mr Price added: “The car park’s demolition is long overdue and now you can really see the space it took up. Developing the site is going to really improve the city centre’s retail offer.”
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