THE revamped Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford will open in October 2017, it was confirmed this afternoon.

Developers behind the £440m scheme said it was the beginning of a two-year countdown as they announced new companies set to take premises in the complex.

The 800,000 sq ft centre will include more than 100 new stores, 25 restaurants and cafes, a boutique cinema, roof top terrace and new public spaces.

And the Westgate Oxford Alliance today confirmed clothing chain River Island and Sticks’n’Sushi would join others already announced, including John Lewis, Curzon Cinemas, H&M, Michael Kors, Superdry, Primark, Next, Schuh and Goldsmiths.

Sticks'n'Sushi UK managing director Andreas Karlsson said: "When we first came to the UK, Oxford was on our top list of places to be.

"We’re really excited Westgate Oxford will be one of our first restaurants outside of London.

"The roof top terrace will also have breathtaking views over the famous Oxford city skyline, making it the perfect setting."

According to the Westgate Oxford Alliance – made up of the Crown Estate and Land Securities – more than 31 per cent of units in the revamped centre have already been pre-let.