Oxford’s iconic Waterstones bookstore is set to leave its historic home in William Baker House and relocate to a new premises in the city centre.
The bookseller has been based in the Grade II-listed building on the corner of Broad Street and Cornmarket since 1998. Prior to that, the five-storey site housed a Dillon’s bookstore from 1987 until Waterstones took over, marking decades of bookselling history at the location.
A new chapter for Waterstones
Waterstones has confirmed it will move to Queen Street later this year, occupying the former Topshop store near Marks & Spencer. The new location will span the basement and ground floor, offering an expanded space with a wider selection of books and gifts. The shop will also feature a café, providing customers a place to relax while browsing.
A spokesperson for the chain, which operates over 300 stores nationwide, described the upcoming Queen Street location as "the biggest new Waterstones shop to open for some years." The move is expected to take place this summer.
Changes in Oxford’s retail landscape
The departure from William Baker House follows recent scaffolding work at the site, initially thought to be for roof repairs. However, with Waterstones confirming its exit, the scaffolding may be part of preparations for a new tenant, though it remains unclear which retailer will take its place.
The Store, a hotel that opened last year, now occupies the former Boswells department store next door, which closed in 2020. Meanwhile, the former Topshop and Topman units in Queen Street have remained vacant since their closure in 2021.
Blackwell’s and the future of bookselling in Oxford
Waterstones’ presence in Oxford remains strong following its 2022 acquisition of Blackwell’s, including its original flagship store on Broad Street. Despite the purchase, Blackwell’s has retained its name, maintaining its identity as a beloved bookseller.
Local business leaders have voiced concerns over the impact of Waterstones’ move on the shopping area around Cornmarket and George Street. Graham Jones, from traders' group ROX, noted that the departure follows the closures of Boswells and Debenhams, as well as the long-standing vacancy of the former NatWest bank building nearby.
"Waterstones must have assessed footfall at both their Blackwell’s and William Baker House locations and made a decision based on financial sense," Jones said. "But it’s important that we find a strong new tenant for the space—it’s a significant retail location, and we don’t want Cornmarket to look increasingly bleak."
As Waterstones prepares for a fresh start in Queen Street, Oxford’s bookselling landscape continues to evolve, balancing heritage with modern retail demands. Photo by A P Monblat, Wikimedia commons.