CINEMA screens could be the star of the show at the new Westgate Shopping Centre, the Oxford Mail can reveal.

A £330m redevelopment of the ageing centre has been on hold in recent years as developers assessed its viability after the economic crash.

But last night it was confirmed they now want to push ahead and a cinema could be added to the scheme that already includes a John Lewis department store, shops and a new multi-storey car park.

The Crown Estate and Land Securities Group PLC consortium has been in discussions with Oxford City Council for nearly a year over its revised plans for the site, which stretches from Queen Street to Oxpens Road.

Now, after carrying out lengthy research, they have told senior councillors the redevelopment still stacks up financially and a planning application could be put in early next year.

The redevelopment of the Westgate Shopping Centre, which was built in 1972, is seen as a major catalyst for economic growth.

Council leader Bob Price said: “The good news is the developers are confident about making it work financially and are moving forward.

“One of the things they would like to put in is a small cinema.”

He said John Lewis remained a key element of the scheme but the number of flats and houses is likely to be scaled back.

Existing shops will all be offered space in the new centre.

Mr Price added: “It is clearly good in terms of jobs as construction would be a long drawn-out process involving lots of local labour.

“Then the shops will employ people, which is a boost in a time of rising unemployment.”

The council is both the planning authority that will decide any redevelopment plans and a land owner.

Mr Price added: “It is too early for any cinema to have been approached. It has just been suggested that the space there would complement that idea.”

The redevelopment was first mooted in 1999 and planning permission was renewed in November, although councillors expected a redesign.

Graham Jones, of traders group Rescue Oxford, said: “I think we desperately need this expansion of the Westgate. Although it will bring in new competition, retailers recognise that if we have a bigger offering of shops, they will benefit.”

But he added: “The council is going to have to be more flexible in its thinking. This won’t just become successful if the council continues to provide poor access and high car parking charges.”

Lee Constable, manager of the John Anthony clothes shop in the Westgate, said: “We are totally behind this scheme. It would be great for the city, but actions speak louder than words.

“I understand what happened before with the recession, but I would like to see something actually happen.”

The development would take about three years to complete.

The plans are in the first stage of development and no cinema has yet been approached. Market research will take place at a later date.