Westgate Rooftop Gardens

The original Westgate centre was built in the 1970s and Landsec consulted heavily with the local community when it bought the site in 2010. The ambition behind the new development, which opened in 2017, was to transform the reputation of Oxford as a modern retail destination. Our rooftop garden has been a significant component of the success of the development, with the range of quality garden spaces providing an inviting environment for an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars, a gym and boutique cinema.

Aromatic herb borders, fruit trees and bespoke, sociable seating create an informal, welcoming space. As a result, people are dwelling longer than ever before and, despite challenging times for retail, businesses there are feeling positive. Programming public space is important to bring people together. The curation of events on the rooftop helps to animate the spaces through the seasons, day and night. They range from rooftop yoga sessions and outdoor cinemas to cookery classes and fashion shows. “Crikey! What a superb shopping centre. Everything seems to be here but the crowning glory is the rooftop terrace. How lucky is Oxford to have this?”

Why is this a place that thrives?

The original Westgate centre was built in the 1970s and Landsec consulted heavily with the local community when it bought the site in 2010. The ambition behind the new development, which opened in 2017, was to transform the reputation of Oxford as a modern retail destination, and this success has been achieved largely by the quality of the public realm. Landsec recognised the importance of providing access to high-quality green space in the city centre. The benefits include adding social value, promoting wellbeing, and providing a distinctive offer to make it easier for businesses to thrive and attract good staff through providing an exceptional working environment.

Oxford was missing a public space that offered views of the city. Westgate’s rooftop gardens give people in Oxford free access to elevated public realm that is extensive and varied. There are arresting panoramic rooftop views of the city skyline and the countryside. Access is from early morning until late at night. One year on, a survey of users has shown that people really value the public realm, green space and landscape and it is one of the aspects considered the most improved, compared to the uninviting space of the old centre.

The rooftop gardens and dining terraces have been designed around a kitchen garden concept and create a series of distinct, rich green garden spaces to provide spaces for gathering, relaxing and dining. The largest of the spaces, The Kitchen Quad, includes a highly flexible south facing central lawn with a retractable canopy.

Who comes to this place and how does it serve their needs?

Westgate is a large centre with 100 retail units and annual footfall is estimated to be 20 million. It attracts people who live and work in Oxfordshire, as well as tourists. People are positive about the quality of access to and around the centre, and it is designed to feel safe and family friendly.

Our rooftop garden has been a significant component of the success of the development, with the range of quality garden spaces providing an inviting environment for an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars, a gym and boutique cinema. We have seen a significant increase in footfall to the rooftop garden in the last year.

The rooftop spaces provide a sharp contrast to the busy city and shopping streets below. They offer a relaxing garden environment and a beautiful setting for dining with some of the best views of Oxford. Aromatic herb borders, fruit trees and bespoke, sociable seating create an informal, welcoming space. As a result, people are dwelling longer than ever before and, despite challenging times for retail, businesses there are feeling positive.

Programming public space is important to bring people together. The curation of events on the rooftop helps to animate the spaces through the seasons, day and night. They range from rooftop yoga sessions and outdoor cinemas to cookery classes and fashion shows.

“Crikey! What a superb shopping centre. Everything seems to be here but the crowning glory is the rooftop terrace. How lucky is Oxford to have this?”

Trip Advisor, July 2019

How are you continuing to adapt and manage this place (if applicable), particularly in the context of changing demographics, transport habits, climate crisis and shifting policy?

The Westgate development is designed to be climate resilient: it is one of the lowest carbon retail destinations in the UK, underpinned by Landsec’s ambitious whole-life carbon target approach. This committed to reduce the amount of carbon produced from the centre’s construction, and from its first 30 years in operation. Central to this is the delivery of a super-efficient energy loop which enables both energy sharing and effective use of an electricity grid, allowing Westgate to continually reduce its carbon impact into the future. This approach meant that the roof spaces didn’t require localised plant, and could maximise their size and potential.

Located at the heart of Oxford city, the rooftop spaces can easily be accessed by public transport and are a short walk from the railway station. Over 1,000 cycle hub spaces and 50 electric vehicle charging points have been provided. This means that Westgate is superbly placed to respond to Oxford City’s bold plan to become UK’s first city to introduce a zero-emission zone.

Westgate’s management and events company have an extensive programme of events throughout the year that constantly adapt to changing trends and ideas.

The future of the retail sector is uncertain but the special offer at Westgate, including its city centre location and distinctive rooftop garden destination, means it can attract a range of different demographics, whilst allowing flexibility for the future.

Please share any figures that support your entry – for example, increased dwell time, happiness surveys, post -occupancy surveys, foot fall, event attendance, or observed changes in behaviour. Article references or quotes from supporters or reviews in the media may also be included.

A year after opening and during a period of change for retail, The Westgate Oxford Alliance commissioned a report to measure the impact of the project. A link to this document is included below. The key findings were:

• Footfall has increased b in the city centre since Westgate opened, with visitors staying longer now than ever before, which is helping to build Oxford’s vibrant evening economy
• 64% of visitors stay for over an hour
• 2000 full-time equivalent jobs created
• Public surveys show 8/10 people enjoy the quality of public space
• 8 out of 10 people are proud to work at Westgate and highly rate comfort at the workplace
• 8.2% increase in bus use

landsec.com/sites/default/files/2018-11/Westgate_Total_Impact_Report_One_Year_On.pdf

Oxford City Council praise the development and its benefit to Oxford:

“We now have a regionally competitive shopping, eating and entertainment destination, creating thousands of new jobs and supporting the exponential growth of tourism in Oxford”

Quote: Councillor Bob Price, Oxford City Council

Trip Advisor Reviews:

“The best bit is the roof terrace with its seating and views over Oxford”. October 2019

“Fantastic view from the top floor bars and restaurants, the spires and rooftops over a tremendous city” July 2019