Pictured: The view from Queen Street one year ago, today and the expected facade a year from now. Scroll for the whoile gallery 

THE new Westgate centre is on target to open this time next year, bosses have said, with some building materials being constructed off site to allow the schedule to stay on track.

There is now just a year to go until the new £440m centre opens its doors, including the flagship John Lewis department store.

City council leader Bob Price said: "Some of the building materials, including cladding for the John Lewis store, are being constructed off site.

"That's an important part of making sure the scheme is on schedule - you don't have so many people working on the site itself and get more bang for your buck."

Earlier this month it emerged that top restaurant chains are lining up to take their places at the revamped Westgate Centre when it opens in a year’s time.

It has been confirmed that Japanese food chain Sticks ‘n’ Sushi will occupy a unit in the rooftop garden area, which will offer panoramic views of the city.

As well as restaurants the garden terrace could also host live performances and cinema screenings.

A spokeswoman for the Oxford Westgate Alliance said other chains moving in are boulangerie Le Pain Quotidien, Lebanese Comptoir Libanais, noodle bar Shoryu and sandwich specialists Pret A Manger, although they may not occupy rooftop units.

Work started in February to extend the centre, which will cover 800,000sq ft and include more than 100 new stores, 25 restaurants and cafes, a boutique cinema, rooftop terrace and new public space.

Businesses signed up include H&M, Michael Kors, River Island, Superdry, Primark, Next, Schuh, Goldsmiths and New Look, with boutique cinema chain Curzon Cinemas and restaurant Sticks’n’Sushi also confirmed.

Other brands announced include Blackwell’s, PINK – Victoria’s Secret, Jo Malone, Russell & Bromley, Charles Tyrwhitt, EE, Ernest Jones, Pret and Office.

Sara Fuge, development manager for the Westgate Oxford Alliance, said: "As construction on site continues to progress, we’re getting closer every day to realising our vision for the new Westgate Oxford.

"We remain on track to bring a world-class retail and leisure destination to Oxford, bringing £440m of investment in to the city."

As part of the revamp, the central library is undergoing a major refurbishment and a bigger children's area is being created.

investment in to the city."