Jobseekers will be able to meet employers including John Lewis, TK Maxx and Superdrug at a free recruitment fair at Westgate Oxford on Tuesday 6 October.
The event runs from noon to 3pm in the Lower Ground Bar at Curzon cinema, with opportunities in retail and hospitality alongside technical and operational roles with the shopping centre’s service partners.
It is aimed at people at different stages of their working lives, from school and college leavers looking for a first job to those returning after time away or considering a change of career.
Employment-support partners will also attend, giving visitors an opportunity to discuss the help available alongside conversations about vacancies.
At a glance: Westgate Oxford Recruitment Fair
| Date | Tuesday 6 October 2026 |
| Time | Noon to 3pm |
| Venue | Lower Ground Bar, Curzon cinema, Westgate Oxford |
| Admission | Free |
| Employers announced | John Lewis, TK Maxx, Superdrug, Mitie and CBRE |
| Support partners announced | Aspire and Connect 2 Work Oxfordshire |
| Who is it for? | First-time jobseekers, people returning to work, career changers and those seeking part-time, flexible or seasonal employment |
| Event information | Westgate Recruitment Fair listing |
Which employers will be at the recruitment fair?
John Lewis, TK Maxx and Superdrug are among the retail employers named in Westgate’s announcement.
The centre’s service partners Mitie and CBRE will also take part, with technical and operational opportunities being highlighted for visitors interested in work beyond the shop floor.
The fair will allow people to speak to employers face-to-face, find out about current vacancies and explore different types of work. It is also intended for people looking for part-time, flexible or seasonal employment, rather than only those seeking a full-time position.
A detailed vacancy list, pay rates, contracted hours and individual job requirements have not been included in the announcement. Visitors should discuss these with the relevant employer, including whether a position is permanent or temporary and how to apply.
Support for first-time jobseekers and people returning to work
Westgate says the event is designed to be approachable for people who may not know where to begin with a job search or who have been away from employment for some time.
Young people seeking their first job, school and college leavers, and people not currently in education, employment or training are among those encouraged to attend. The invitation also extends to experienced workers considering a different career direction.
Aspire and Connect 2 Work Oxfordshire are named as support partners attending the fair.
Westgate says it has worked with Aspire since the centre opened, with their wider partnership including mock interviews, career workshops and practical support for people facing barriers to employment. Those activities describe the ongoing partnership; a separate workshop timetable for the fair has not been announced.
Aspire’s wider services include employment support, training and help with digital access, which may also be useful to people needing assistance beyond the event itself.
Clare Martin, centre director at Westgate Oxford, said:
“Whether someone is taking their first step into the workplace, returning after time away, or looking for a new direction, this fair is about breaking down barriers and connecting local talent directly with employers. We encourage job seekers to come down and see how we can help unlock their next career opportunity.”
According to Westgate, its latest social and economic impact report records 1,527 jobs supported and 110 people helped to move closer to employment during 2025. Those figures relate to the centre’s wider activity, not the number of vacancies being offered at the recruitment fair.
Preparing for your visit
Consider taking an up-to-date CV, either printed or saved on your phone, and making a note of the days and hours you are available to work. The organiser has not stated that a CV is required for entry.
Useful questions for employers include the pay rate, usual shift pattern, minimum contracted hours, training provided and application deadline. For seasonal vacancies, ask when the job starts and ends.
Before leaving a stand, check what the next step is: whether you should apply online, send information to a named contact or arrange a further conversation. Face-to-face discussions are advertised, but interviews or job offers on the day have not been promised.
Where is the fair, and how do I get there?
The event is inside Curzon cinema, rather than in one of Westgate’s main shopping areas.
Curzon’s public entrance is on the Roof Terrace. Once inside, ask staff for the Lower Ground Bar, the location specified in the event announcement. The bar’s name should not be confused with the shopping centre’s ground-level walkways.
The shopping centre’s address is Westgate Oxford, Queen Street, Oxford, OX1 1PE. Its centre map can help visitors locate Curzon before arriving.
Westgate recommends Park & Ride because parking at the centre is limited. Public transport information is available through its travel page.
Drivers using the underground car park are directed to Thames Street, postcode OX1 1TS. Check the current parking charges and driving directions before travelling, particularly because routes into central Oxford have changed.
Accessibility and visitor enquiries
AccessAble’s Curzon Oxford access guide records a passenger lift between the cinema’s two levels and an accessible toilet on the lower floor.
Visitors needing a particular route, seating arrangement or communication support should check the arrangements for the recruitment fair directly. General cinema facilities do not necessarily describe the layout of the event.
Westgate’s general enquiries number is 01865 263601. Curzon’s customer service team can be reached on 01233 555644 for questions about the venue’s accessibility.
Further information is available through the Westgate access and mobility page and Curzon’s accessibility guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book a place?
The fair is advertised as free, but the announcement and public event listing do not specify whether registration is required. Check the latest event information or contact Westgate before travelling.
Is the fair only for young people?
No. Although first-time jobseekers and school and college leavers are among the intended audience, Westgate also welcomes people returning to work, changing careers or looking for flexible and seasonal employment.
Will there be opportunities outside retail?
Yes. The announcement also highlights hospitality opportunities and technical or operational roles with Mitie and CBRE. Individual vacancies and entry requirements should be checked with the employers.
Can I attend to discuss employment support rather than a particular vacancy?
The event is intended to help people explore their options as well as find vacancies. Aspire and Connect 2 Work Oxfordshire are among the participants announced by Westgate.
The latest event details are available on the Recruitment Fair page, with wider visitor information on the Westgate Oxford website.
