Two major high street names have targeted Oxford for expansion.

Sports and leisure retailer JJB Sports, and jeans and casual wear chain Cromwells will open in the city's Northgate Quarter within the next few months.

Cromwells, which has more than 60 branches throughout the UK, plans to be in place before Christmas.

Managing director Peter Souber said: "Oxford is somewhere we have always wanted to be and this is the first time we have found a suitable site.

"It is one of the top areas to be opening a store and we are very excited about the future."

Cromwells will be looking for eight full-time and 12 part-time or casual staff.

JJB Sports plans to open an 11,000 sq ft store in early 2002 but is not revealing whether one of the existing Oxford stores will be relocating or how many jobs may be created.

The Northgate Quarter is owned by Crest Nicholson Properties and was developed behind the existing facade of the old Debenhams store to remain in keeping with the character of the Magdalen Street area.

CNP regional director Alastair Thomas said: "These new lettings will further enhance the Northgate Quarter's attraction as a shopping destination and augment the success of our anchor tenants."

He said considerable interest had been shown in the remaining 7,800 sq ft of space which could be split into two.