They felt that the centre does not blend in with the historical heritage around it, and instead presents a distinctly modern appearance. “I think the city is old but the mall looks modern,” said 11 year-old shopper, Imogen Nixon. Similarly, another young shopper, 12 year-old Tessa Read said “I think it’s like adding a modern touch to the city”

Harbinger’s Magazine received mixed responses on whether or not the shopping centre fitting into Oxford’s historic aesthetic mattered. “I think it’s important to keep the heritage alive because that is what Oxford is known for,” said 13 year-old Anna (name changed for privacy).

But others felt like this was not of major importance to young people. “I don’t really care about it so much but I get why other people would,” said Sofie Bostock, a 15 year-old.

According to its website, the shopping centre was reopened in 2017 by the development company Landsec, and is where ‘modernity meets history.’

The original Westgate shopping center was built in 1972, but was ‘razed to the ground’ to make room for the new mall that was built in 2017. Oxford is stuck in the tug between protecting its rich and historical heritage in the architecture while balancing it with the new needs of modernisation and its young clientele.

Harbinger’s magazine reached out to Landsec on July 30, but did not receive a response.

The shopping centre is, however, supporting initiatives targeting issues like global warming and homelessness. While claiming to be one of the most sustainable retail centres ever built, as a member of the Westgate Alliance, their initiative partners include the Oxford Homeless Pathways, which helps people struggling with homelessness find jobs.

This was a priority for the youngsters of Oxford. Young shoppers were asked what they thought was more important, making Westgate fit in more with Oxford’s architecture or being more modern and helping the world problems such as homelessness and sustainability.

Sofie Bostock and Lexi Miller, both 15, said that it’s “more important to be sustainable”. But others felt a balance was needed. “I think you need a mix of both,” said Laura Schubert, a 16 year-old. “It’s important to keep the heritage, pay tribute to the past things but it’s also to find new paths,” she added.