FAMILY-RUN pancakes firm Crepes O Mania sell their tasty treats in the Westgate Centre and in Oxford city centre.

Owner Akim Akkouche has taken on new staff to run the crepes counter at the shopping centre.

But he and his wife Christine are continuing to run their crepes van from their usual pitch in Broad Street.

Mr Akkouche, from Boars Hill, said being invited to open up in the Westgate Centre had been good for business.

He added: “We are trading in both locations - the first two weeks in the Westgate Centre was crazy and it has now calmed down a little bit.

“Trade in Broad Street is also doing okay and I think that depends at this time of year on how many tourists and students are around.”

Mr Akkouche said it was too early to say what effect the Westgate Centre was having on trade in the rest of the city.

He added: “You can not say at this stage that the centre is killing trade in other parts of the city.

“It’s far too early to talk about the effect and I think we need to take a look at this in the spring once a few months has gone by.”

Mr Akkouche said at this time of year it was very difficult to make judgements about footfall as it was ‘the calm before the storm of pre-Christmas shopping’.