THE first phase of building work on the expansion of a Witney shopping centre has been finished.

Work to add 23,500sq ft of new shopping space to the Woolgate Shopping Centre started in October.

This week, the car park was completed and the project is now in line to be finished by the autumn.

Shopping centre manager Rodney Hartnell said: “The major car park work has now been completed and we would like to thank users for their patience.”

The Woolgate’s owner, Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd (USS), has signed a deal with fashion retailer Next to occupy the main part of the extension.

It will also provide a larger two-storey store for household goods retailer Cargo and accommodation for another shop, which has not yet been confirmed.

Neil Hardiman, USS’s development manager, said: “We are extremely pleased with the progress made by the contractors.

“The construction programme remains on target and we look forward to the new Next and Cargo stores opening later this year. We are receiving encouraging interest from a number of quality retailers who would be new to Witney.”

The car park alterations include a new square with 10 extra disabled parking bays and new parent and child parking spaces, close to the Waitrose store and main shopping centre entrance.

Michael Lynes, of Michael Lynes Jewellery in the shopping centre, said: “I think it’s fantastic news.

“If you walk around you can look at what has been done to the car park and how much easier it is already.

“Once we get Next it will be absolutely wonderful for an independent trader like me.”

Colin Jackson, manager of H Samuel, said: “I think the new square that they have done for the disabled, and the parent parking, is really nice.”

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk