THE 'Westgate effect' is partially responsible for a big spike in visitors to Oxford city centre - but other areas are benefitting as well.

There were 11.9 per cent more people in Oxford city centre last week compared to the same week last year, latest footfall figures have shown.

It means that for the week beginning January 22, 722,166 people came into the centre of Oxford.

Over the last year, the figure is up 16.6 per cent on the previous year.

The city council measures the number of city centre visitors by counting those who pass through Cornmarket, Queen Street, and St George's Place.

Former city council leader Cllr Bob Price, board member for corporate strategy and economic development, said: "We are continuing to see a very welcome and significant increase in the number of people coming into the centre of the city. This is almost certainly a ‘Westgate Effect’, but the effect is not confined to the new shopping centre and the numbers of people all round the city centre have shown a big increase.

"Oxford’s performance is even more encouraging when it is set against the national picture which shows a 3 per cent fall in footfall across city centres nationwide.”

The busiest day during the week was last Saturday, when 130,946 visitors Were recorded in Cornmarket and Queen St.

The busiest time was 2pm. when 12,777 people were in the city centre.

Cllr Price added retail and leisure in Oxford is 'buoyant'.