THE Westgate multi-storey car park closed yesterday as preparations began for the Oxford shopping centre’s redevelopment.

Construction work on the £500m centre will include 70 new shops, a five-screen cinema, cafes and restaurants and begins this month.

A temporary 420-space car park at Oxpens opened last month to cater for extra Christmas demand and will remain in place until the new Westgate car park opens in 2017.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: “The temporary car park will help to keep the city centre car parking numbers at a reasonable level for most day-to-day requirements, but at peak times we would encourage motorists to think about using the park-and-ride sites and the excellent bus services.

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“We are of course looking forward to the new Westgate car park in autumn 2017.”

The temporary car park will also provide the Shopmobility service, public toilets and a customer service area from Monday, January 19.

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