Blackwell's Art and Poster Shop is perhaps in danger of being overshadowed by the family-run chain’s main branch across the road.

But while tourists will inevitably head straight for the famous bookstore, at 48-51 Broad Street, staff at the poster shop want to make sure they are as competitive as possible, like the Manga comic book characters they now stock on the shelves.

The poster shop in Oxford was launched over 30 years ago in the building previously run as a bookshop by a different chain.

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Manager Tamsin Evans-Higgs, said staff were feeling positive as lockdown conditions ease.

She said footfall at the store is picking up and she is confident there will be a steady stream of customers throughout the summer.

Ms Evans-Higgs said: “Footfall has really started to pick up after we reopened in April.

“There was a big rush in April and it was crazy busy at half-term - I think we are gently gearing up to a fairly good summer.”

The manager who is in charge of a team of full and part-time staff said they were starting to see a lot of British daytrippers.

She has worked for Blackwell’s for 17 years and has been in charge of the poster shop for the past three years.

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In recent years there has been a renewed focus on graphic novels in the store, and the shop is increasing its stock of board games, going head to head with the city’s games cafe Thirsty Meeples at Gloucester Green.

Ms Evans-Higgs added: “We want to remind people that we are here and that we have a team of staff with specialist knowledge about games, art, and graphic novels.

“We rely a lot on the expertise of our graphic novels buyer Chiara Mestieri.

“She has been looking after the section for five years and her knowledge and expertise in this area knows no bounds.

“Our latest promotion draws on her passion for graphic novels and features our team’s top 70 definitive titles - we get lots of young people coming in for graphic novels - it’s well worth a browse!”

The shop has recently introduced games including role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons to the store, as well as an ever-expanding board games section with puzzles and gifts curated by a ‘Games Guru’ who is always on hand to recommend a new game - whether it’s an intense strategic board game or light family fun.

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Posters and prints are popular with students and residents, particularly the Oxford Pubcrawl poster.

It’s the store’s most popular poster with students, tourists and locals alike. Ms Evans-Higgs added: “Blackwell’s Art & Poster shop is a unique shopping experience in Oxford.

“Our team’s expertise and passion for art, graphic novels and games is outstanding.

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“We’ve had a tough 18 months but it’s wonderful to be back and greeting our customers once again.”