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‘Harry Potter’ Store Grand Opening Takes a Controversial Turn in London

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Warner Bros. has been preparing a big holiday season for ‘Harry Potter’ fans in London. The studio’s new Oxford Street store, its largest UK play for British fans, opened its doors on November 4 at The Ribbon, 134-140 Oxford Street.

The shop spans more than 21,000 square feet across 2 floors and is modeled on Diagon Alley. It features a full-size Knight Bus, a Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon over a Gringotts-inspired area, and a Leaky Cauldron pub serving Butterbeer, along with exclusives such as a Diagon Alley wand and an Oxford Street Funko Pop.

The opening day didn’t go entirely smoothly. As Deadline reported, the launch was disrupted by trans rights protesters who chanted that J.K. Rowling has “blood on her hands.”

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Photos from the scene show a trans pride flag raised outside the store as shoppers gathered on the pavement. Police officers and stewards in high-visibility jackets stood near the entrance, and no arrests were reported. The size of the protest is disputed. Deadline described about a dozen demonstrators with megaphones and placards, while other reports counted around 6 people with signs.

Signs at the protest called for protecting trans lives and an end to what demonstrators described as funding for trans erasure. Critics of Rowling object to her gender-critical views and her funding of a group that supports women’s sex-based rights.

One protester, identified as West, told Deadline that the chant reflected high suicide rates in the trans community. West said they had once been a big fan of the series and hoped parents would reconsider taking children to the franchise. The store didn’t directly address the demonstration. A spokesperson said the shop was thrilled to open its doors and welcome hundreds of fans.

The location joins the King’s Cross shop as one of the UK’s only official ‘Harry Potter’ retail destinations. With Oxford Street drawing roughly half a million visitors a day, the store is expected to be a major attraction through the holidays.

This isn’t the first protest connected to the franchise this year. In October, activists rushed the red carpet at a gala performance of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ at London’s Palace Theatre before security removed them.

Earlier, in January, activists chalked messages outside the same theater. Campaigners have also targeted ‘Harry Potter’ merchandise at high street retailers, and a bookstore in San Francisco pulled the books from its shelves.

The store opening comes as Oxford Street prepares its ‘Harry Potter’-themed Christmas lights. The display is a partnership between HBO Max and the New West End Company, created to promote HBO’s new series.

According to The Telegraph, more than 10,000 people emailed London Mayor Sadiq Khan asking him to cancel the lights. His office said the mayor doesn’t organize the display, and the New West End Company is going ahead as planned.

HBO also confirmed that the show’s young stars won’t attend the November 9 switch-on, citing their production and school schedules. All of this is building toward HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ series, which premieres on Christmas Day.

Dominic McLaughlin plays Harry, with Alastair Stout as Ron and Arabella Stanton as Hermione. As the premiere approaches, the debate surrounding Rowling is likely to stay in the spotlight alongside the excitement from fans.

What do you think about the protests surrounding the opening of the new Harry Potter store in London?

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