THE official opening date for the long-awaited Marriotts Close redevelopment has been announced, with hundreds of jobs set for Witney.

Marriotts Close will bring a “huge boost” to the town, says West Oxfordshire District Council leader Barry Norton, when it opens on October 29.

And two of the biggest retailers — Marks & Spencer and Debenhams — have confirmed that they will create an extra 150 jobs.

Mr Norton said: “The development is progressing well, as is shown by the fact that Marks & Spencer shop-fitters are already working on fitting out the store, which in itself is a statement that it is looking forward to coming to Witney.

“Once the centre opens, with stores like Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, it will be a huge boost for local people who won’t have to shop so far away. It will boost the local economy, not just for those shops, but for other shopping outlets, so it’s a win-win situation.”

Marks & Spencer, whose shop-fitters moved on to the site this week, will provide a centrepiece of the £50m redevelopment, and has confirmed that it will employ approximately 100 staff.

In January, the retail giant announced it was closing 27 outlets and making 1,200 staff redundant in the light of falling sales.

A spokesman for Debenhams said that the opening of the shop would create about 50 jobs.

Pictures of the project, revealed by builder Simons Developments, show Starbucks coffee shop, Accessorize/ Monsoon, Cafe Rouge, Wallis and restaurant Frankie and Benny’s included in the development.

Other retail stores already announced are New Look and Dorothy Perkins.

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

Fitting-out of the cinema will begin in the middle of this month, and work on Debenhams will start shortly afterwards.

Martin McGread, project manager of Simons Developments, said: “August will be a busy month for the remaining tenants.

“Our work on site is ongoing as we continue with the external finishes, including the new boulevard of Welch Way, and we look forward to removing the scaffolding to reveal the near-finished scheme.”

Warwick Robinson, district council cabinet member for economic development, said: “The council is delighted that this exciting new development is successfully entering its final phase and is set to create many new jobs over the coming months.

“It represents a vote of confidence in the future of Witney by major high street retailers, restaurants, and a leading UK cinema operator.

“It should help secure Witney's position as a thriving market town, attracting more visitors as well as providing better facilities for local residents. Supporting the local economy is a key priority for the council, and this development is an excellent example of this being put into practice.”

The Marriotts Close development will have a car park with 658 spaces, plus an additional 44 surface-level spaces to serve the neighbouring housing development, being built by Linden Homes.

Part of the cost of maintaining and running the free car parks will be recouped from ground rents for the new tenants of Marriotts Close, which are expected to yield about £100,000 a year. The district council retains the freehold of the land, on which the development is built.

Source: Witney Gazette