Opening of new Oxford hotel The Store is months away

Family department store Boswells closed in 2020 and the historic building in Broad Street is being transformed into a 101-bedroom hotel with a rooftop bar and terrace.

Owners Reef Group had hoped to open the hotel before the end of the year but contractor Gilbert-Ash has been hit by unexpected delays and the opening is now scheduled for the spring.

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A temporary problem sourcing the power supply to the hotel meant a November opening could not take place, and general manager Simon Drake has estimated the new hotel will open in the next few months.

He said last month: "It's very frustrating but we will now be looking to open in February or March."

Mr Drake is excited by the prospect of entertaining guests on the rooftop terrace where there will be "meat smokers, parasols and heaters", with seating for 20 or 30 guests and a capacity for 60 people.

The hotel, restaurant, rooftop bar, co-working bar, and spa is being delivered by Reef Group and hospitality team EQ Group.

The hotel has seven floors. 

The 101 bedrooms are spread across the two interconnected buildings, some with velvet headboards, panelled walls, and bold art deco features, while others have courtyard views.

The restaurant called Treadwell will serve sustainably sourced produce from local suppliers, and diners can expect Chicken Tikka Masala Pie, and The Store Cheeseburger.

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The ground floor bar at The Store will feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Broad Street and bosses have said this space can be used for coffee meetings and lunches throughout the day.

And The Roof at The Store will be a bar and terrace offering views over Oxford.

The entrance to the hotel will be on Broad Street.

Imshan Jamal, of EQ Group, said earlier: "Our last project, Hotel Dame des Arts in Paris, has had a great reception and attracts a real mix of travellers.

"We’ve taken the principles we used there – the essence of what makes it successful - and looked at how we apply them in Oxford."

Candidates applying for roles will be given priority if they live in Oxford and the surrounding area.

Mr Drake added: "We have been overwhelmed by the amount of CVs coming through and there are good quality CVs coming through from people who are already in Oxford.

"The delay has been frustrated but our team is incredibly motivated."