Three shop units beneath Oxford's revamped Debenhams store, which have remained empty for nine months, are now under offer.

The shopfronts in Magdalen Street have been boarded up since Debenhams reopened last autumn, but city centre managers say they expect new shops to open before Christmas.

They have been anxious that businesses should fill the spaces as soon as possible in such a busy shopping area of the city.

High rental values in Oxford and a national downturn in the retail sector have been blamed for the time it has taken to sell the units.

City centre manager Marcus Lapthorn said he was pleased that the units now looked set to be filled.

Two were being taken up by well-known local businesses while the third was attracting a major High Street name.

The offers follow the start of a £2m revamp for Cornmarket Street.

Mr Lapthorn said: "This is very good news and we hope that the businesses will be opening by the end of the year. A number of shop units in nearby Friar's Entry are also under discussion.

"Businesses are being quite cautious when they invest in a new unit."