A SHINY new Harry Potter shop in Oxford could spell trouble for rivals in the city's very own Diagon Alley.
Staff at House of Wonders in Cornmarket Street say their wands are proving bestsellers but a rival shop in Broad Street - known as Diagon Alley- insists its wands are cheaper.
The coveted items associated with characters in the popular JK Rowling books and films franchise sell for £44.95 each at House of Wonders so sales staff have no trouble making muggles’ money disappear.
READ AGAIN: New Harry Potter shop is planned
The new store, which has replaced French beauty products chain L’Occitane, started trading in the run-up to Christmas and staff said the shop, which is open seven days a week, is usually very busy.
Broad Street gained the reputation as the city’s Harry Potter specialist destination after Sally Moss and her sister Joanne opened The Shop of Secrets there in March.
And neighbouring Flaggs and Watsons have been selling merchandise based on the novels and movies featuring the author’s magic creations for a number of years.
READ MORE: New Year's Eve assault in Oxford
House of Wonders sales assistant Olga Khokhlova said the store was busy and added: “The wands are bestsellers along with the sweatshirts and we have sold out of scarves but we will be getting more in stock soon.”
The owner of House of Wonders was unavailable for comment but a store manager said: “We don’t really think of it as a competition as we are all doing something a bit different and selling some different merchandise.
“Cornmarket gets lots of footfall and we have been very busy since we opened so we are very happy.
READ AGAIN: Still no start date for Templars Square upgrade
“I think there is room for more than one Harry Potter shop in this city with so many tourists visiting.
“The wands were very popular Christmas presents - each character has a different wand - there are more than 10 of them.”
Scarves linked to different Hogwarts' houses cost £29.95, sweatshirts with a hood £49.95 and sweatshirts without a hood £39.95.
READ MORE: Poor service 'adding insult to injury' over rail fare increases
Sally Moss said the arrival of House of Wonders had ‘diluted her trade a little bit’.
But she added that she was not worried about the competition as her store now has a large number of loyal customers.
She added: “We really can’t complain because we have had a very good Christmas.
“I think customers will soon realise that we offer very good value for money - for example our wands cost £29.99.”
Ms Moss said earlier she expected a rival store to open within a year of her business launching because a rival would want a ‘piece of the action’.
French beauty products chain L’Occitane switched to the Westgate Centre last year.
READ AGAIN: A34 blocked after two-car crash
The new Harry Potter shop in Cornmarket has given the street a boost while a £36m construction scheme takes place on the opposite side of the street.
Jesus College has launched the shops and student accommodation scheme on the site of the former Northgate House, which has now been demolished.
Building work will continue on site throughout the year.
Bakery Greggs is planning to open a new branch in the former Moss Bros menswear store close to Carfax.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel