A campaign to promote East Oxford will be partly funded by construction firms that carried out roadworks in Cowley Road.

Businesses in the area are organising an afternoon and evening of entertainment on November 23, to encourage people to visit the area.

Shops, which will open late, and restaurants will offer discounts and run promotions and there will be musical entertainment.

Contractors Halcrow and Isis Accord have given £1,100 and Oxford City Council's east area committee has given £2,500 to support the events.

Traders complained of lost business caused by months of roadworks, which started in April and finished last week.

Nasser Salehi, 53, owner of bicycle shop Cycloanalysts, said: "We suffered throughout the roadworks. We were £15,000 behind by mid-August.

"Promoting the area is always good. We need to bring people in to see the new Cowley Road. It's a good thing that the contractors have given money to do this."

Latibul Islam, from East Oxford Action, the group behind the campaign, said: "The completion of the roadworks is a great opportunity to remind the county of the unique variety of shops, restaurants and leisure experiences that East Oxford offers.

"Thanks to past regeneration and the new road scheme, Cowley Road today, compared to five years ago, is a transformed place.

"It's a lot smarter and, along with neighbouring St Clements and Magdalen Road, the area offers a great alternative to a typical high street shopping or leisure experience."

Pete Mace, contracts manager for Isis Accord, said: "As a local company we're pleased to support a project that promotes East Oxford and a road scheme that enhances and improves the area for residents, visitors and our staff as members of this community."

Mark Darlow-Joy, project manager for Halcrow Group Ltd, added: "We're delighted to be a part of the continuing development of the area. It's clear that the scheme has added value and quality to the Cowley Road and to the people who live and work here."