THIS is the first look inside Witney’s multi-million pound Marriotts Walk development ahead of its opening on Thursday.

The first shops in the Welch Way development will open their doors to the public at 10am.

First to open will be Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, New Look, Wallis, Monsoon, Accessorize and Dorothy Perkins, along with Frankie & Benny’s, Café Rouge, and a Cineworld five-screen cinema.

Work on the £50m project started in January last year, and includes 590 free car parking spaces, 143 new homes, a play park, and public toilets.

Lakeland will replace New Look, and another shop from the Arcadia Group will occupy Dorothy Perkins.

About 300 new retail jobs will be created.

Barry Norton, the leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Marriotts Walk is a much-needed addition to the facilities of Witney, helping to catch up with the town’s expansion in recent years, yet successfully preserving Witney’s historic market town centre.

“The development will help put Witney firmly on the map as a retail destination.”

The project was officially completed yesterday.

On Friday, Witney MP David Cameron will officially open the centre.

The shopping centre was built by Simons Group on the former council highway depot site in Marriotts Close. Witney Town Forum — a partnership of retailers, service providers and local councils — has produced large-scale maps, town guides, and a new website to coincide with the opening.

Chairman, Lesley Semaine, said: “We believe that Marriotts can provide a really positive spin-off for the rest of the town.”

Both New Look and Dorothy Perkins, which already have shops in Witney, have found traders to fill the units when they move to Marriotts Walk.

Cineworld will celebrate the opening of its digital cinema by holding a free movies for juniors event on Saturday.

Children and their parents can watch either the Spiderwick Chronicles or Ice Age 3 in 2D at 9.30am.

The cinema, which has two 3D screens, has employed 20 people.

The Desire by Debenhams store — one of the biggest units at 15,000 sqft — will open with stilt walkers and a live jazz trio, as well as Halloween-themed face painting on Saturday.

Marks & Spencer will open with a complimentary glass of champagne for customers.

The 25,300 sqft shop will stock clothing, a food hall, and a 52-seat cafe.

All 69 of the first phase of apartments have been sold, with 37 reservations out of 74 for the second phase, which are due to be completed in the spring.

Janette Reed, chairman of Witney Independent Traders Association, said: “Witney will be a great shopping destination for those wanting something a bit different as well as the convenience of the big names.”

District councillor David Harvey said: “I think this is one of the most exciting projects we have ever been involved in. It has been eight years coming to fruition, with fabulous results for Witney and all of west Oxfordshire.”

Luke Pickering, director of Simons Developments, added: “Hopefully the reaction from the public will be good.”

Source: Witney Gazette