New opening date for Oxford's newest hotel The Store

Department store Boswells closed in 2020 and the historic building in Broad Street has been transformed into a 101-bedroom hotel with a rooftop bar and terrace.

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

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General manager Simon Drake estimated in November that the hotel would be ready to open by February or March.

Building work outside the Broad Street entrance to the hotel has now been cleared and the entrance to the Treadwell restaurant is visible in Cornmarket.

In the latest announcement EQ Group said the hotel would be opening in May.

It is understood May 7 is a possible opening date.

Rooms will cost from £285 per night.

Designers say that the hotel will have "multi-purpose open-plan public spaces divided into different areas through elegant design choices—reminiscent of a department store filled with moments of joy".

The restaurant promises "sustainably sourced produce from local suppliers".

Six distinct designs for the 101 rooms will range from art deco to a more muted natural design "bringing the rich tapestry of Oxford into the space, bespoke patterns and furniture echo the tiles and patterns of the rooftops or follow the line of the city’s ‘dreaming spires".

Pop-up events at the rooftop bar and terrace will include oyster and champagne, wood-fired pizzas, and smoked produce.

The spa will have a "Nordic-influenced gym and thermal suite encompassing a sauna, herbal steam, experience shower and relaxation loungers".

Bookings are now being taken and it is understood rooms on the opening night could cost about £400.

Owners EQ Group say the uptake has already been "a bit crazy".

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Department store Boswells, established in 1738, closed during the pandemic in early 2020 and never reopened.

The chemist was the last department to serve customers.

The Debenhams Oxford store in Magdalen Street closed in 2021 after the retailer went into administration, and the building has yet to be occupied.

It has been reported that a deal worth more than £30m could see the Pioneer Group take over the site.

The Pioneer Group specialise in high-quality laboratory and office space to rent.

It is understood the deal also features a newly created 175-year long-leasehold interest with an annual 7.5 per cent gearing on the contracted rent.

Following the Debenhams closure the building's owners, DTZ Investors, which acts on behalf of Strathclyde Pension Fund whose administering authority is Glasgow City Council, said it was looking at alternative uses for the 126,500 sq ft site.

John Lewis at the Westgate Centre is now the city's only remaining department store.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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