A £6 MILLION revamp to a shopping centre in Oxford has been completed to make it “bigger” and “brighter”.

The facelift of the Clarendon Shopping Centre involved a demolition of the existing ground floor to make way for a new threestorey design.

An overhaul of empty retail space resulted in a 10 per cent increase in the size of the mall.

Architects Marchini Curran Associates (MCa) were behind the designs of the new-look shopping centre.

Nick Marchini, director of MCa, said: “We are very pleased to have been associated with the Clarendon Centre for several years because the centre represents prime retail space in the centre of Oxford.

“This has been an exciting and important piece of work for us.”

The shopping centre was located in an Archaeological Priority Zone, and the redevelopment unearthed many centuries of history.

Before building work began, archaeologists discovered stone walls, foundations and cesspits thought to date back to buildings from the 17th century.

Members of the public were able to view the excavations and artefacts throughout the excavation period.

MCa hopes the completion of the shopping centre will prove a major draw for shoppers.

Mr Marchini added: “The introduction of new large format retail units to the scheme and the regeneration of the mall’s atrium have given it a new lease of life, making it a much lighter, brighter and attractive place to shop.

“We are confident that these changes will reinforce the mall’s position as a key retail destination within Oxford and we look forward to seeing the new-look centre bustling with shoppers.”

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