Margaret Maden

Ian Green has provided, here, a clear account of how SENDRA was involved in the development of Westgate; a consultation of high quality.

My own views about Westgate, then and now, differ perhaps? I believe the consultation was effective, even if we didn’t succeed in everything we recommended.  Having a ‘back door’ into John Lewis is a good for us and everyone approaching from the city’s southern neighbourhoods? Having a large shopping mall which is accessible, clean, sheltered and well provided with seating is a welcome addition to Oxford’s city centre? One SENDRA member, when consultation started, expressed a commonly held view – ‘we don’t want a bog standard shopping centre’. We haven’t been landed with this have we?

20% of the ‘retail outlets’ are restaurants and  the roof level variety is impressive, with great views, from Norwegian KUPP in particular, of our estate and the HInksey Hills beyond. Views from the roof’s eastern side of Oxford’s ‘dreaming spires’ are rewarding. Having a good quality cinema is a singular asset, as is a Blackwell’s bookshop, and our refurbished County Library at the main entrance; a welcome civic element.

The information panels distributed around the Centre, describing Westgate’s Franciscan origins are well constructed, illustrated and written, even though less engaging or impressive than the real in situ remains. Key artefacts and displays from the excavation are available in the County Museum.

The four reputable architectural firms employed for 4 sectors promised more than was delivered; the ‘dreaming spire’ over the main entrance is a joke? The centre still has a ‘fortified castle’ feel to it with its south and east frontages particularly off putting, but the open ‘24/7’ walkways into and out of the Mall are helpful and  welcoming.

During the pandemic, the shelter offered during bad weather and the availability of seating for social encounters and chats were clear benefits. Sainsbury should be awarded a medal for managing to stay open before, during and after both Westgate’s construction and the pandemic.

However, the pandemic has emphasised how the further rise of online shopping threatens all physical shops and high streets. The future of Westgate is further questioned by this large scale trend. Sad that a (mainly) well designed and conceived centre should be thus out of time; an anachronism perhaps – as Ian Green suggests?

What exactly, will we instead have as our ‘back door’? Perhaps, at least, the weekend traffic jams – cars awaiting access to John Lewis’s underground car park will end. Should we petition the Franciscan order – its return might be the best solution?