RETAILERS may have less than a month to fit the outside of their shops in time for the Westgate centre's opening.

A series of planning applications for colourful new signage in Queen Street and the new Westgate centre have been submitted in the past week.

Nine brown and blue signs for the new 'Westgate Social' restaurant area have been revealed this week for the south-west corner of the development.

But the plans may not be decided on until the end of September leaving less than a month to complete the frontages.

Bright purple signage for the new Metro Bank being built further down Queen Street - where EAT and Swarovski used to be - have also been put forward this week.

Inside the £440m development perfume and scented candle shop Jo Malone has also requested permission for its signs to be installed.

It will also feature a large LED display of a hand reaching for candles and perfume.

Le Pain Quotidie has also put in an application for its Norfolk Street frontage, which will include tables and chair outside.

All the applications are expected to be determined by Oxford City Council towards the end of September.

More than 80 per cent of the units in the new centre have been filled by many retailers are yet to ask for permission for any signs it might need to its exterior.

The Bonn Square facade of the centre itself is nearing completion and the flagship store John Lewis is already being fitted out with more retailers expected to move in over the coming weeks.