THE city centre has been given a boost with the news that fashion giant H&M will keep two stores open in Oxford.

The Swedish chain will stay at its purpose-built shop in the Clarendon Centre as well as its new branch in the Westgate Centre, which it opened on October 27.

There are no plans at the moment to close the three-storey unit in the Clarendon Centre, off Cornmarket Street.

Graham Jones, a spokesman for traders’ group ROX – Promoting Oxford Business, said it was vital that the Clarendon Centre, which has 30 stores including H&M, Gap, French Connection and Currys PC World, remained busy.

He said: “It’s very good news that H&M is keeping its store in the Clarendon Centre as well as opening a new store in the Westgate.

“H&M is a shrewd international operator and knew the Westgate Centre was coming when it opened at the Clarendon Centre three years ago.

“The H&M store at the Clarendon Centre is over three floors so the Westgate store is smaller – what we could see is Westgate run on a complementary basis to the one in the Clarendon Centre.”

Last week the Oxford Mail reported retail experts' concerns about the knock-on effect of the Westgate Centre on the rest of the city centre, particularly Cornmarket Street.

Fashion chains Next and River Island have relocated from large units in Cornmarket to Westgate and the units have been left empty.

Mr Jones added: “There are issues for Cornmarket with the empty units but if the Clarendon Centre remains vibrant then Cornmarket will be much stronger.

“The Clarendon Centre is an important thoroughfare linking different parts of the city centre.

“It was very busy when the Westgate Centre was closed but I do think there is room for both.

“It is vital that the Clarendon Centre keeps performing well as this will have a positive effect on the rest of the city centre, particularly Cornmarket."

Adam Harris, manager of children’s wear at H&M’s Westgate store, said about 60 staff worked at the 2,500 sqm shop and 60 at the 3,000 sqm Clarendon Centre store.

He said: “We can split different product lines between the two stores – there are men’s, women’s and children’s clothing at both.

“But there is a bigger range of suits at the Clarendon Centre, which also features unique designer collaborations and click and collect for online customers.”

H&M opened its first UK store in 1976 and now has 260 in the UK and Ireland.