OXFORD'S new John Lewis store is getting ever closer to completion as products hit the shelves.

With less than two weeks to go before the opening of the Westgate Centre, which houses the department store, on Tuesday, October 24, it has been receiving its first deliveries of stock.

The items came pouring in via fleets of lorries - with the majority of items now already delivered.

Staff at the John Lewis are at work putting the first of the 55,000 products on display at the 120,000 sq ft store.

All in all, the stock comes to a total of £6.5m.

The keys to the store will be handed over to branch manager Julie Blake and her 300-strong team 10 days before the big opening.

The firm said the emphasis was on the full customer experience and not just traipsing around the shops.

More than 1,000 brands including Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss have also been announced.

John Lewis staff will be trained to discuss curtain patterns and kitchen design with shoppers in a designated home area.

A wide range of other major stores will open their doors at the same time.

Primark, the flagship store of the old Westgate centre with a 64,000 sq ft three-storey unit, is to occupy a 40,000 sq ft unit in the revamped complex. Shops which will greet visitors using the Bonn Square entrance will include Urban Outfitters, River Island, H&M and Office.