Warner Bros has announced plans to open a flagship Harry Potter store on London's Oxford Street, one of the busiest shopping streets in the capital. The 21,000 sq ft, two-floor shop will be an 'interactive retail experience', featuring recreations of iconic locations from the franchise, photo opportunities, and exclusive merchandise.
Karl Durrant of Warner Bros' worldwide retail division said the store, set to open in autumn, will bridge the gap between the series' physical attractions and shopping opportunities. 'It will give fans an exciting new way to experience this magical world in the city that features so prominently in the stories,' he added.
The store will be located on the corner of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road, a short walk from the theatre where the Potter spin-off stage show The Cursed Child is still running. That show concludes its two-part production on 20 September and will reopen as a one-part production on 6 October.
London already has a small Harry Potter shop at King's Cross station, next to a photo opportunity space where visitors can appear to push a trolley through a brick wall. Warner Bros' Leavesden base also runs studio tours, and there are six Harry Potter theme park attractions at Universal Studios worldwide.
The official store will compete with numerous unofficial Harry Potter outlets on Oxford Street, some of which have faced scrutiny over their business practices. The store opens ahead of the 25th anniversary of the first film's release and the debut of HBO's TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling's books.
