The first flagship Harry Potter shop in the UK is coming to Oxford Street in London.
The 21,000 sq ft shop will be entirely dedicated to celebrating the locations featured in JK Rowling’s bestselling novels, with photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise and interactive experiences providing a magical escape from the muggle world.
Warner Bros plans to launch the two-storey wizarding emporium by autumn this year at 134-140 Oxford St.
Hogwarts enthusiasts will now be able to experience the world of Harry Potter at two official locations - Oxford Street and the existing shop at Kings Cross.
Karl Durrant, WB’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Retail said: “Harry Potter is deeply rooted in British storytelling, and this will give fans an exciting new way to experience this magical world in the city that features so prominently in the stories. Offering a completely new retail experience for Harry Potter fans which will delight and entertain, it’s going to be very special.”
The site formerly housed the Scandal nightclub before being redeveloped into a The Ribbon, a curved retail-led building from where it gets its name.
The shop is said to mark another vote of confidence in Oxford Street’s ongoing transformation
As it stands, Oxford Street has been plagued with unofficial Harry Potter merchandise outlets and empty American sweet shops, but these are finally being pushed out as major brands bring their flagships stores to the capital in a regeneration effort.
Ikea opened its first inner city store in July last year and a former New Look store is being converted into a Pocket Planet tourist attraction.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has also announced plans to entirely pedestrianise the street as soon as this summer, giving the shopping hotspot a complete makeover.
