Demolition work is continuing to make way for the £400m revamp of the Westgate Centre.

Diggers have now arrived at the dilapitated Westgate multi-storey car park, which is being demolished as part of the plans to rebuild the shopping centre.

As part of the refurbishment there will be a three-storey John Lewis, a five-screen Curzon cinema, and about 70 new shops.

The new centre, given final planning approval in November, is expected to create about 3,400 jobs, with construction work due to finish in Autumn 2017.

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The multi-storey car park was first opened to customers in 1974 and a temporary car park has been set up on the other side of Oxpens Road so the multi-storey can be pulled down.

Labour city councillor Colin Cook said: “It’s a building very much of its time and its time has now passed.

“It’s pretty ugly and I don’t think too many people will be sorry to see it go – as far as I know there have certainly never been any requests for its preservation.

“Something much better will come in its place and phoenix-like from its ashes will grow a fantastic retail experience.”