It’s now exactly five years since the opening day of the new Westgate Centre in October 2017.
Shoppers queued up for bargains at the newly designed centre following its £440m revamp and Oxford Mail photographer Jon Lewis was there to capture that busy first day.
The current balloon displays at Westgate are a reminder of the stunning acrobatic display that was staged on the centre's first day, involved giant balloons.
Read again: Westgate's successful opening day
It seemed as if no expense had been spared for the relaunch, with 100 new shops and restaurants opening, and a new rooftop terrace and cinema.
Japanese fashion chain Uniqlo was a big hit with shoppers on the first day, with large queues forming outside.
It was all a far cry from the centre's origins in 1972, when shoppers gathered to catch a glimpse of Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix who played Elsie Tanner in the TV soap.
Read more: First look at giant earth sculpture inside church
The new £1.8m Westgate Shopping Centre opened with a large Selfridges and a Sainsbury’s, and four years later the Queen visited.
Over the years plans to revitalise the centre were delayed on a number of occasions.
In 1999, artists’ impressions of Capital Shopping Centres’ £220m revamped mall were unveiled.
In 2000, Oxford City Council approved the Westgate extension application but Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott threw out the plans.
Read again: Westgate Centre looks fit for a Disney movie
The decision was overturned but CSC withdrew its application and in 2006 submitted fresh plans for the £300m redevelopment of the Westgate Centre.
In 2010, CSC sold the Westgate Centre to the Crown Estate and Land Securities, which forms a consortium named Westgate Oxford Alliance.
In 2013, Westgate Oxford Alliance signed a development agreement, and in 2014 plans for the £440m revamp were approved.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel