Here we feature photos from the Oxford Mail archive taken in the early 1970s.

The Westgate shopping centre opened in 1972 and included branches of Selfridges, Sainsbury’s and C&A. It cost £1.8m.

Plans to revamp it took many years and included many false starts and it was not until 2017 that a £440m revamp was completed.

READ AGAIN: Village pub has closed down

Oxford Mail:

Shoppers gathered to see Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner for many years in Coronation Street.

Oxford Mail:

Inmates at Oxford Prison caused a stir when they staged a lively rooftop protest.

Oxford Mail:

A lorry got wedged in New Inn Hall Street in Oxford.

Oxford Mail:

And students attempted to break a record by rolling the longest hand-rolled cigarette.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.