ONE year on from the launch of the revamped Westgate Centre there will be a carnival atmosphere inside the £440m shopping complex this week.

The centre, owned by Land Securities and the Crown Estate, opened on October 24, featuring more than 100 new shops, together with a John Lewis department store and rooftop restaurants.

Curious shoppers who poured into the centre on day one were welcomed by actors dressed in Alice in Wonderland costumes.

PICTURES: Look back at all the excitement of last year's opening

Oxford Mail:

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

On Wednesday, which marks the one-year anniversary, centre managers are promising a carnival theme.

A spokesman said: “To mark our first birthday, we’ll be partying on October 24 at Westgate Oxford, with a celebration of Oxford’s diversity.

“Head down to Westgate from 4pm and be amazed by lots of fun activities and a parade like no other in Leiden Square from 5.30pm.

“There will also be stilt-walkers, carnival dancers, jugglers, musicians, a selfie flower wall and confetti cannon to name a few.”

John Lewis staff also staging a number of special events, including beauty demonstrations, erformances from the Rock Choir, carnival games and tastings.

Oxford Mail: In April owners of the Westgate reported that the number of visitors in the first six months - nine million had exceeded expectations.

Before the centre opened development manager Sara Fuge said up to 15 million shoppers a year were expected a year but the latest footfall figures have not yet been revealed.

Units at the Westgate Centre are about 95 per cent let, with a number of major stores still to open, including fashion chains Zara and Mango.

Beauty store Too Faced is opening a new outlet on Wednesday.

NOSTALGIA: Look back at when the 'old' Westgate Centre was new(ish)

It emerged last week that since October there has been a year-on-year increase in footfall of about three million shoppers - an 8.9 per cent boost

Footfall counts have been taken in Cornmarket Street, Queen Street and St George’s Place, off George Street,.

While shops in Queen Street have experienced a boost in footfall, the number of people in Cornmarket has fallen by 4.6 per cent, although it remains the busiest street.

READ: Businesses respond to footfall study

Fashion giant Next moved to Westgate last year and the large unit it occupied in Cornmarket Street has been vacant ever since.

Traders have complained that a growing number of empty units has left the street looking shabby.

Jesus College is working on proposals to revamp Northgate House on the corner of Market Street, creating a number of smaller retail units and the city council is investing in the Covered Market.

Oxford Mail:

Designs for the Northgate House redevelopment

Retail expert Keith Slater said the Westgate Centre covering 800,000 sq ft, should be expected to make about £360m a year, almost £1m a day.

He added: “Making £1m a day is a big ask given the current climate and I’m not sure the Westgate Centre is there yet - it needs to do more to market itself and grab attention.

"On the plus side footfall in Oxford is up and the number of vacant units in the city - about eight per cent - is below the national average.”

Oxford Mail: