OXFORD’S revamped Westgate Centre will reopen in October 2017, just in time to give the city’s economy a £100m Christmas bonus.

Developers behind the £440m scheme said it was the beginning of a “two-year countdown” as they announced two new companies set to take premises in the complex.

Work started in late February to extend the centre, which will cover 800,000sq ft and include more than 100 new stores, 25 restaurants and cafes, a boutique cinema, rooftop terrace and new public spaces.

The Westgate Oxford Alliance yesterday confirmed clothing chain River Island and restaurant Sticks’n’Sushi would join others already announced, including John Lewis, Curzon Cinemas, H&M, Michael Kors, Superdry, Primark, Next, Schuh and Goldsmiths.

And retail expert Keith Slater, a director of the Oxfordshire Town Chamber Network, said the centre’s autumn opening in two years’ time could see Christmas come early for businesses in the city centre.

He predicted the knock-on effect of extra visitors it would bring in could increase the turnover of shops by as much as 40 per cent.

Mr Slater said: “It is going to be a big boost to Oxford in the run-up to Christmas, particularly because of the John Lewis.

“There will be a lot of money taken. Most retailers find December is the equivalent of two other months of the year, so autumn is a very good time to be opening.

“The developers will also be pleased to be getting quite upmarket retailers like Goldsmiths in there, which helps create the right kind of image.

“If they have pre-let most of it before it opens, then they could take something in the order of £100m in the run-up to Christmas based on the square-footage.”

Westgate Oxford Alliance development Sara Fuge said: “We are really excited to announce the two-year countdown to the opening of the centre and it is great so many home-grown and international brands have already committed to being part of it.

“Westgate Oxford will be a world-class shopping and leisure destination for a world-class city and we look forward to welcoming everyone in October 2017.”

The city council also confirmed this week that Sticks’n’Sushi was the first restaurant planned for the new Westgate to apply for a licence to sell food late at night and to serve alcohol.

Sticks’n’Sushi UK managing director Andreas Karlsson said: “When we first came to the UK, Oxford was on our top list of places. We’re really excited Westgate Oxford will be one of our first restaurants outside of London.

“The rooftop terrace will also have breathtaking views over the famous Oxford city skyline, making it the perfect setting.”

According to the Westgate Oxford Alliance – made up of the Crown Estate and Land Securities – more than 31 per cent of units in the revamped centre have already been pre-let.

Councillor Mary Clarkson, chairman of the council’s licensing committee, said: “The interesting thing will be which stores that are already established as part of national chains decide to move to Westgate, and how that affects other parts of the city.”