THESE are the latest glimpses of work going on at Witney’s Marriotts Close development.

As the pictures show, work has mostly finished on building the units, and shopfitters are moving in to finalise the internal fixtures.

Debenhams is busy fitting out its 15,000 sq ft store in time for opening on October 29.

Most of the 50 members of staff, along with 15 extra workers for Christmas, will begin their two weeks of training at the end of the month. This will be followed by a week’s placement in a nearby store.

Store manager Sandra Coulthard, who has worked at Debenhams in Reading for the past two years, said: “It’s a great project and a chance you don’t often get as a manager, to build something from scratch.”

She added: “There has been a lot of curiosity and anticipation about the development.

“Having spoken to local people and doing the open day at the job centre, people are looking forward to the result.”

Over 300 hopefuls attended the job centre open day in August, with 200 candidates interviewed.

The store will be a Debenhams Desire, stocking cosmetics, fragrances, gifts and clothing for all the family.

Ms Coulthard said: “The robust leadership at this firm will be able to steer us through the recession. We have three stores opening over the next couple of months.”

Plans for the opening include face-painting, stilt-walking and a jazz band.

Marks & Spencer will form a centrepiece to the £50m development, along with the likes of New Look and Dorothy Per-kins. Other shops confirmed include Starbucks, Accessorize/Monsoon, Cafe Rouge, Wallis and Frankie & Benny’s.

There will also be a five-screen cinema, cafes, a restaurant, new homes, a multi-storey car park and an area of woodland and green space.

Warwick Robinson, West Oxfordshire District Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning and economic development, said: “This is one of the most exciting things to happen in the district for years.

“With free parking, it will help Witney to remain a vibrant market town.”