OXFORD, ENGLAND (May 15, 2024) – Today, the vibrant luxury lifestyle hotel, The Store, opens its doors in the heart of Oxford and in the building of the former historic department store, Boswells.
As one of the world’s oldest department stores, Boswells was family-owned and much-loved by the local community. The new hotel will bring the storied past of Boswells back to life and is set to become a new cultural hub in Oxford. In the tradition of great British department stores, it was a place of discovery – a treasure trove of toys, fashion, 
household essentials, and a well-known tearoom, and café. Now, reimagined as a luxury lifestyle hotel with a restaurant, rooftop bar, co-working bar, and spa, The Store, delivered by Reef Group and EQ Group, will present a labyrinth of spaces to discover and explore. The hotel will delight guests with a sense of curiosity and wonder, reflecting the rich heritage of the building’s former life, in an exciting new chapter.
Arranged over seven floors, the 101 rooms are spread across two interconnected buildings, with six distinct design typologies, some with plush velvet headboards, paneled walls, and bold art deco features, others with leafy courtyard views, a muted palette, and textures that comfort and cocoon. Bringing the rich tapestry of Oxford into the space, bespoke patterns and furniture mirror the tiles of the rooftops just outside, while the design follows the line of the city’s ‘dreamy spires’ to offer uninterrupted Oxford views. The interior design has been informed by the heritage of the building by Urban R, Reef Groups’ team of architects and designers. Multi-purpose open-plan public spaces are divided into different areas through elegant design choices – reminiscent of a department store filled with moments of joy that entice – and are juxtaposed with intimate corners, and moments of escape. Keeping with this inspiration of the classic department store, special touches can be found throughout the hotel such as the flooring of the signature restaurant, which is actually the original skylights from Boswells or a new signature scent, created in partnership with fragrance label ScentAir, with notes that nod back to what the lobby of Boswells was previously home to, heavy leather-bound trunks and other travel luggage mixed with cosmetics and perfumes. With that, the new custom scent now plays with notes of leather, suede, sandalwood, and musk with citrus notes.
The hotel’s signature restaurant, Treadwell, will offer ‘Untraditionally British’ fare where diners can expect unique twists to those classic dishes, bringing a new culinary experience guests and locals won’t find anywhere else in the destination. Led by Chef Andy Robinson, the restaurant name is another nod back to the unique history of Oxford. In 1851, Treadwell’s Passage was coined ‘one of Oxford’s greatest nuisances’, due to its debaucherous reputation. The lane was once a bustling street, home to a community of workers such as a needlewoman, fish hawker, shoemaker and scavenger. Fast forward to 1912, with development from Boswell’s Arthur Pearson, the passage was incorporated into the department store and Treadwell’s Passage was no more. Today diners will feel the destination and that history strongly woven throughout their experience, be it with playful character illustrations of past individuals who made Treadwell their home on the menus, or dishes predominantly from locally sourced, sustainably grown ingredients and dishes that honor Oxford’s multicultural heritage. Creations such as Ruby Murray Chicken Pie, a playful take on the typical pie and mash, a creamy buttery chicken curry with chili-infused gunpowder potatoes, and makhani jus, speak to this ‘untraditional’ spin.
Located on the ground floor, The Bar at The Store features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the hustle and bustle of Broad Street, and an adjacent fireside snug. A multi-use space, the welcoming spot will be suited to all occasions, from co-working, coffee meetings, and leisurely lunches throughout the day, to pre-theatre or post-work cocktails and relaxed evenings with friends. Through an exclusive partnership with local Hawkridge Distillery, The Store will offer its own bespoke range of Vodka, Aged Rum, and Gin, seamlessly integrated into house cocktails. The spirits, also available for purchase, echo the curated product philosophy of a department store. No detail is lost with even the water served at The Bar coming from the nearby grounds of the historic Blenheim Palace.
A hidden retreat on the hotel’s fifth floor, The Roof at The Store is an elegant bar and terrace offering 360 views over Oxford where guests and locals alike can imbibe on bespoke cocktails paired with a smokehouse menu, all while gazing at cityscape views. Led by Bar Manager Justin Rinker, The Terrace Original Cocktails are exclusive to The Roof and each with a nod to the history of Oxford: 1738 is the date Boswell’s was established; Modern Education is a quote from Brideshead Revisited, an iconic novel based on Oxford University student life; The Value of Nothing is a quote from The Picture of Dorian Gray, written by Oscar Wilde, a renowned Oxford University graduate; and Second Breakfast is a quote from The Lord of the Rings, perhaps the most well-known piece of literature to come from the city of Oxford. The remainder of the extensive menu is split into 8 sections, each based on a classic cocktail and containing multiple variations on the classic.
With a continued emphasis on unexpected experiences, The Store will play host to a range of pop-ups, themed to the season and occasion. On The Roof, pop-ups will run throughout the year offering experiences such as oyster and champagne pairings, wood-fired pizzas, and as a signature offering dishes will be cooked “from the coals” on a smoker not commonly found in the UK, serving up a variety of American-smoked meats, ribs, burgers, paired with a delectable selection of melted cheese.
The Spa at The Store is a subterranean retreat with state-of-the-art facilities and treatments from sustainable British luxury beauty brand, OSKIA – renowned for cellular skin nutrition. Taking a results-driven approach to treatments, OSKIA combines bespoke anti-aging techniques, fusing traditional knowledge with modern advancements, to leave the skin, body, and mind rejuvenated and glowing.
Cocooned in textured walls and championing wellbeing – a key pillar of The Store for hotel guests, the local community and beyond – the boutique Spa comprises three private treatment rooms and a holistic studio space – offering a regular program of yoga, sound baths and bookable treatments for singles and couples – as well as a Nordic-influenced gym and thermal suite encompassing a sauna, herbal steam, experience shower and relaxation loungers.
The entrance to The Store is on Broad Street, in central Oxford, near the Northern Gateway to the city. The hotel will be adjacent to the many shops and amenities of Cornmarket Street and within walking distance of the city’s major historical and cultural landmarks making it an ideal spot to call homebase when visiting.
For more information on The Store or to book a stay, please visit thestoreoxford.com or follow them on Instagram @thestoreoxford.
