OXFORD’S High Street has not escaped the consequences of the arrival of the new Westgate Centre, a traders’ spokesman has revealed.

Graham Jones, of ROX – Backing Oxford Businesses – said key women’s fashion stores LK Bennett and Hobbs, close to Carfax, had relocated to the Westgate, while cosmetics store Neal’s Yard near Magdalen Bridge, has also switched.

Mr Jones said it was too early to ascertain whether the relocations have had a detrimental effect on footfall in the High Street.

But he added that members of the Oxford High Street Association, including retailers, hoteliers and Oxford colleges, were meeting to give each other detailed feedback on the latest situation, including the impact the new Westgate Centre has had on High Street trade, since it opened on October 24.

Mr Jones said: “In my view the arrival of the Westgate is bound to have some effect on the High Street and we can see that is the case, particularly at the Carfax end, as popular women’s fashion stores like LK Bennett and Hobbs have moved out.

“Once they have moved that can have a harmful effect on the stores nearby.

“I think stores at the other end of the High, closer to Magdalen Bridge are going to be affected in the same way.”

Traders at the Covered Market have said they are at a ‘crisis point’ after fresh food stalls including fishmongers Haymans and John Lindsey butchers closed.

The city council has pledged to spend £1.6m in the fabric of the building over the next four years but Mr Jones said this might not be enough.

He added: “A crisis at the market is a crisis for the High Street too as it is one of the main entrances for the market.

“I think there needs to be a radical review of what is happening with the market right now.”

Mr Jones said members of the Oxford High Street Association would also discuss proposals by transport consultants to make the High Street part of a one-way loop for buses.

He added: “As far as I am aware there are 88 buses an hour in each direction at the moment.

“If the High Street is made one-way for buses it’s possible that could have a harmful effect on footfall and it would obviously have an effect on Longwall Street too.

“It’s fair to say that the Westgate has not had the devastating effect on High Street that it did on Cornmarket but it has had an impact.”

Mr Jones said High Street traders would discuss the ongoing situation and potential solutions.

Units in Cornmarket, occupied by fashion giants River Island and Next before they relocated to Westgate, remain empty and replacement chains have not yet come forward. The Covered Market Tenants’ Association has complained that Cornmarket has started to look scruffy and fear it is reducing the number of shoppers finding their way to the market.