CONFIDENT traders and councillors in Witney have said they are "not worried at all" about the impact the new Westgate Centre in Oxford could have on shopping in the town.

With the revamped Oxford shopping centre due to open in Autumn 2017, councillors in Witney met up to discuss the impact it could have on Marriotts Walk shopping centre, as well as independent stores in the town.

And business owners said they had nothing to fear, believing the town still outshone Oxford when it came to shopping.

Chairman of Witney and District Chamber of Commerce Lesley Semaine said: "Westgate may well be in the back of people's minds.

"But personally, as the owner of an independent shop, I'm not worried.

"When all this is complete in Oxford including the big John Lewis, parking in the city is still going to be very expensive.

"I think we have enough to survive."

Concerns were raised at a district council meeting on Thursday as the town has seen several shops close down due to a fall in footfall, including stationery store Margaret L Johnson and sports shop Topsport.

Councillor Peter Handley, chairman of the economic and social overview scrutiny committee, said in a meeting last week: "We have lost some shops in Witney.

"I think it's important that we do all we can for our independent shops which add versatility for small towns.

"As it is, an awful lot of people come from Oxford to shop in Witney.

"Free parking, dare I say it, is just one thing that keeps our shops in business – we have been very lucky."

West Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for strategic planning and economy Warwick Robinson said he had no concerns at all about the new Oxford shopping centre.

He said: "I live in Minster and I drive to Marriotts Walk and park my car. I do some shopping, see a film, have dinner and then catch a taxi home, leaving my car in Marriotts, which has nighttime security.

"Then I pick it up in the morning and it doesn't cost me a penny. Why would I want to go into Oxford? It doesn't make sense.

"The biggest hit of Witney unquestionably is the free parking. I know people in Chipping Norton who could shop in Bicester or Banbury but choose to come to Witney because of the parking.

"I don't fear the Westgate at all."

The councillor agreed Witney had seen a number of independent shops close down recently but said he did not believe this was due to competition from Marriotts Walk.

He added: "The first shop that comes to mind is Topsport in the High Street. But there wasn't a chain sports shop in Marriotts anyway.

"And tell me, do you see an empty shop in the High Street at all?

"We will continue to develop the offering we have in centre of Witney."

How do you think Westgate will affect Witney? Email megan.archer@witneygazette.co.uk to share your thoughts.