WORK is progressing well on a £36m revamp for shops and college accommodation in Oxford’s Cornmarket Street.

Contractors for Jesus College started demolition work in March inside the row of shops at Northgate House, which once featured fashion giants Next and River Island.

They both switched to the Westgate Centre in 2017.

Oxford Mail:

The building on the corner of Market Street is being demolished to make way for new shops and student accommodation.

READ AGAIN: College history goes on show in Cornmarket

Last month new hoardings went up, which tell the story of the historic college - from the 16th century when it was founded by Queen Elizabeth I to the present day.

Oxford Mail:

Painstaking work to take down the existing building is taking place out of sight of shoppers.

In its latest newsletter BAM Construction said: “Enabling works are well under way within the Northgate site.

READ AGAIN: Lorries in Cornmarket for £36m Jesus College shops scheme

“These include installation of temporary works within the existing building, to facilitate further demolition, the dismantling of remaining retail units and decommissioning of the high voltage substation located within the basement of the existing Northgate House building.

Oxford Mail:

“Demolition has commenced against the WH Smith’s party wall.”

Contractors said in the next few weeks perimeter scaffolding will be installed in Market Street in preparation for ‘demolishing high level structures’.

The illustrations on the green hoardings celebrate famous alumni, including Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Lawrence of Arabia.

READ MORE: Pupils left behind as special schools hit by funding crisis

Hoardings designer Gareth Wild, of Apropos, working in partnership with Jesus College, is a graduate of the Royal College of Art and formerly senior designer for Neville Brody.

Oxford Mail:

He has worked closely with Jesus College Fellows, the Principal Sir Nigel Shadbolt, college librarian Owen McKnight and design researcher Bev Saunders to develop a narrative and source photographs and paintings to trace the history of the college, which was founded in 1571.

READ MORE: Man arrested on suspicion of murder after woman found dead

The artworks celebrate the college’s links with Wales - Jesus College is also known as ‘The Welsh College’ - as well as highlighting the impressive achievements of current and former alumni.

Oxford Mail:

Panels also include information about the new building, which will be completed in 2021.