A three-floor gourmet burger restaurant chain will be serving hungry customers in Oxford early next year. 

American company Shake Shack is coming to Cornmarket, according to contractors working on converting the former Pandora jewellers into one of the chain's restaurants.

There are already about 16 Shake Shacks in the UK with the majority across London and there is also one in Cardiff.

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Shake Shack began as a small hot dog stand operating out of Madison Square Park in New York City in 2001 and grew into a gourmet fast-casual restaurant with more than 377 locations worldwide.

It is not yet known exactly when the new Shake Shack will open but the company said it would not be before Christmas. 

A statement from Shake Shack said the company is in partnership with illustrator and muralist Ellie Fryer on a "unique illustration" for the building's exterior. 

Oxford Mail: The illustration being prepared for the building The illustration being prepared for the building (Image: Shake Shack)

A statement said: "Incorporating some of Shake Shack’s signature menu items with an ‘olden’ twist, the artworks focus on bringing to life the stories, legends and cultural heritage of an Oxford past."

A contractor at the site added: "This is going to be a Shake Shack selling burgers and shakes."

The opening of the new restaurant will give a boost to Cornmarket which has suffered from a number of empty units.

One of those units was occupied by Burger King.

It closed for good in January shortly after being awarded a one-star food hygiene rating.

Oxford Mail: Shake Shack is coming to OxfordREAD MORE: New takeaway could be coming to trendy street

The Shake Shack restaurant will serve flat-top dogs, 'ShackBurgers', 'ShackMeisters', ale and shakes. 

Oxford Mail: Its website says: "When Shake Shack started as a hot dog cart in New York City's Madison Square Park, our mission was simple: raise funds for a public art project.

"As we grew into a global business, our mission to Stand For Something Good expanded to include taking care of our team, sourcing premium ingredients from partners with the same dedication to quality, designing our Shacks responsibly, supporting our communities through donations, events, and volunteering—and much more.

"Doing good is in our roots, a part of our DNA since day one. 20 years later, we're still continuing to expand and evolve our mission to Stand For Something Good in everything we do." 

Oxford Mail: A burger and drinks

Shake Shack will have to compete for a slice of the city's burger market.

There is a Five Guys in Magdalen Street, and a Wendy's, and in George Street. Byron, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Glut also serve burgers.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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