Like city centres across the country, Oxford city centre has been impacted by Covid-19, Brexit and supply chain issues.

A large number of units sit empty throughout the city centre.  

Newly released data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed that despite Covid-19 restrictions being lifted in the summer, in-store retail sales remain subdued.

High street retail sales have fallen for a record five consecutive months, the longest period of decreasing sales since the ONS began recording retail sales.

Many customers have turned to online retail instead of the high street, putting small businesses at risk of collapse.

On Saturday October 23 the Oxford Mail visited Broad Street, George Street, Queen Street, Cornmarket, The Clarendon Centre, Broad Street, The Covered Market and Magdalen Street to see how many units were empty in the key shopping areas.

Broad Street

Mountain Warehouse is in the middle of a closing down sale. 

Oxford Mail: Mountain Warehouse on Broad Street Mountain Warehouse on Broad Street

Bravissimo has moved to Queen Street

Oxford Mail: Bravissimo on Broad StreetBravissimo on Broad Street

15-16 Broad Street is sitting empty

Oxford Mail: 15-16 Broad Street15-16 Broad Street

Magdalen Street

Debenhams on Magdalen Street closed its doors earlier in the year. 

Oxford Mail: Debenhams on Magdalen StreetDebenhams on Magdalen Street

Oxford Mail:

Although not a shop, Cosmo on Magdalen Street remains 'temporarily' closed. 

Oxford Mail: Cosmo on Magdalen StreetCosmo on Magdalen Street

George Street

1 George Street is currently available to let.

Oxford Mail: 1 George Street1 George Street

Bella Italia is currently closed for renovation work and is expected to reopen on November 5.

Oxford Mail: Bella Italia on George StreetBella Italia on George Street

Pint Shop is closed and the unit is available to let. 

Oxford Mail: Pint Shop on George StreetPint Shop on George Street

Jamie's Italian on George Street has been closed for over two years. 

Oxford Mail: Jamie's Italian on George StreetJamie's Italian on George Street

Another unit is empty next to Banana Tree. 

Oxford Mail:

The Chinese eatery Opium Den is now closed and the unit is available the rent on Rightmove.

Oxford Mail: Opium Den on George StreetOpium Den on George Street

Another restaurant casualty on George Street, Yo Sushi has been closed since February 2019.

Oxford Mail: Yo Sushi George StreetYo Sushi George Street

Cornmarket

Burger King has recently reopened on Cornmarket but the for let sign is still attached to the unit. 

Oxford Mail: Burger King on CornmarketBurger King on Cornmarket

Starbucks is also closed on Cornmarket, however it appears the coffee chain is interested in another unit down the street. 

Oxford Mail: Starbucks on CornmarketStarbucks on Cornmarket

Oxford Mail:

There are multiple different units available in the Golden Cross Shopping Centre. 

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Queen Street

Topshop closed in Feburary 2021. 

Oxford Mail: Topshop on Queen StreetTopshop on Queen Street

This vape store is also closed and the unit is available to rent. 

Oxford Mail: Sparks Vape StoreSparks Vape Store

The Covered Market

There are several units in the Covered Market which are either closed permanently, temporarily closed due to Covid-19 or the stores have moved to other locations, leaving the premises available for rent. 

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

The Clarendon Centre

There are a huge number of units empty in the Clarendon Centre, with one row of shops nearly entirely empty. 

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.