Bookshop staff served their final customers on 11 June as Waterstones prepares to open a new flagship store on Queen Street.
Waterstones has served its final customers at its landmark Oxford city centre bookshop, marking the end of a 25-year chapter at the iconic William Baker House on the corner of Cornmarket and Broad Street.
The Grade II-listed five-storey building has been home to Waterstones since 1998, following nearly a decade of bookselling by Dillon’s, which ran the bookshop from 1987 until Waterstones took over.
The building, with its distinctive red-brick façade, turret, and clock, has long been one of Oxford’s most recognisable high street landmarks. Its prime location at the junction of two of the city’s busiest shopping streets has made it a hub for students, locals, and tourists alike.
Now, Waterstones is preparing to open a new flagship store on Queen Street later this summer, moving into a larger, modern unit formerly occupied by the Topman clothing chain.
The new site is situated between Marks & Spencer and the Westgate Centre, in a bustling shopping district with high footfall.
A Waterstones spokesperson said: “We are delighted to announce the upcoming opening of an exciting and large new Waterstones shop in the heart of the city on Oxford’s Queen Street – the biggest new Waterstones shop to open for some years. Occupying the former Topshop space, the new shop will be situated across the basement and ground floors.”
“The generous, bright, and easy-to-navigate space will allow for an expanded range of books and gifts for customers to browse. The shop will also feature a café, perfect for a break whilst choosing the next perfect read.”
While the exact opening date has yet to be confirmed, the chain hopes to welcome customers to Queen Street later this summer. Waterstones staff who worked at the Cornmarket store have been redeployed to the new site to ensure continuity of service and familiarity for loyal customers.
The move signals a new chapter for Waterstones in Oxford. The company aims to offer an enhanced retail experience in a more accessible and modern environment, reflecting changing customer expectations and the evolving high street landscape.
Meanwhile, some local readers have expressed mixed emotions about the move. Clare R., a longtime customer, said: “It’s bittersweet. William Baker House is such a beautiful and historic part of Oxford’s streetscape. It’s sad to see Waterstones leave, but I hope the new store will bring something fresh and exciting.”
Recently, the William Baker House building was covered in scaffolding for general maintenance repairs, and some Waterstones signage has now been removed. The future tenant for the building remains unknown.
A Waterstones spokesperson added: “We have no insight regarding potential agreements between the landlord and future tenants.”
Waterstones continues to operate a store in Witney, but the Queen Street shop will become its flagship Oxford location, reinforcing its commitment to serving the city’s readers.
