Lego announced in December last year that it would open a new store at the shopping centre.

Excitement has been building in recent months for the popular toy store’s 22nd UK store, with hoardings going up in recent weeks.

The new store officially opens tomorrow (Thursday, May 7) and the Oxford Mail was given an exclusive look around this evening (Wednesday, May 6).

READ MORE: Oxford named among 10 happiest places to live in UK for 2026

Oxford Lego store manager Will Wylie. (Image: Newsquest)

Inside, shoppers will find a wide array of Lego sets as well as immersive experiences, including the Pick a Brick Wall and the Build a Minifigure Tower.

Store manager Will Wylie, originally from Reading, only joined Lego a month ago, but has remarked that the job is “a dream come true”.

“I needed something new, and I saw this job come up on LinkedIn and thought, ‘Why not?’, as I love Lego and always have ever since I was a kid,” he said.

“Applied for it, did the interview, and here I am. I’m unbelievably excited, as when you love something, it’s a lot easier to work with it.

READ MORE: All 44 Las Iguanas restaurants at risk of closing in UK amid £37m debt

Inside the new Lego store at Westgate Oxford. (Image: Newsquest)

“As a kid, I had Jurassic Park Lego as well as the Harry Potter train set from the early 2000s, so to be able to work and sell it now is a dream come true.”

Lego is expecting a busy opening day at Westgate Oxford, but Will and his team are ready and raring to go.

“You’re always a bit nervous but excited too because of the buzz it creates, and I have thrived on that from previous jobs.”

The store itself has some specific local callouts, including a Lego model of an Oxford University student in academic dress with his mortarboard mid-air.

READ MORE: Cotswolds Distillery crowned best in England after three awards won

Inside the new Lego store at Westgate Oxford. (Image: Newsquest)

“We’ve got the university graduate, and he is also holding some sausages,” explained Will.

“A few people didn’t understand the reference, but in the 18th century, the city was famous for an Oxford Sausage, which was made from pork and veal.

“It’s an interesting fact that not many people know, so that’s why that’s on there, and there is also a little seagull eying it up.

“Then, further into the store, the seagull has stolen the sausage, and you can also find the Oxford and Cambridge rowers from the Boat Race.”

READ MORE: Cotswolds hotel stay worth over £700 ‘ruined by rowdy hen party’

The new Lego store at Westgate Oxford. (Image: Newsquest)

When asked if there would be any Oxford-specific sets or any of the city’s buildings custom-built and on display, Will did not rule anything out for the future.

“We’ve done these postcards with one for London and other countries like Germany and Japan,” he said.

“So we might make our own little Oxford one, as there is a lot of special architecture in the city, maybe something in the future like Radcliffe Camera.”

Oxford’s new Lego store can be found on the lower ground floor at the Westgate shopping centre, below Superdrug.

Santander UK is reportedly planning to phase out the TSB name following its takeover of the business.

The banking group completed its near-£3 billion takeover of TSB at the end of April.

It marked the single biggest investment in Britain’s banking sector for more than 15 years.

TSB was taken over by Santander at the end of April in a deal worth nearly £3 billion (Image: Getty Images)

TSB bank to disappear from high street after £2.9billion Santander takeover

British retail and commercial bank TSB, based in Scotland, was founded in 1810, originating from the Trustee Savings Bank movement.

The TSB brand came about in the 60s, and in the 70s the various trustee banks amalgamated to become TSB, with the brand then listed in 1986.

It merged with Lloyds Bank in 1995, which led to the formation of Lloyds TSB in 1999.

In 2015, TSB confirmed a takeover bid by Sabadell for £1.7 billion, and today, TSB operates around 175 bank sites across the UK.

Santander agreed a £2.65 billion buyout of TSB from Spanish banking group Sabadell last year, but said the final price paid rose to £2.9 billion on completion.

Now, after the takeover, Santander is reportedly set to drop the TSB brand and run the combined business as Santander UK once the two lenders have been integrated, according to the Financial Times.

Reports also say that there would be no changes to the TSB brand, TSB accounts or products for at least 12 months.

Santander has completed its acquisition of @TSB, bringing together two recognised banking brands to become the UK’s third largest high street bank.

Read more, here:https://t.co/SUnRFed8Ki pic.twitter.com/0e2DOjkqfk

— TSB News (@TSB_News) May 1, 2026

A spokesman for Santander said: “The acquisition of TSB is about creating a stronger, more competitive bank in the UK, with the scale to invest significantly more in customer service, technology and products.

“TSB is a strong consumer banking brand and we recognise the value it has built with customers and within the UK market over a long time.

“We will consider carefully how to make the most of the brand value in our model long term and expect no immediate changes.

 “Our guidance for expected integration benefits remain unchanged at above £400mn in pre-tax cost synergies by 2028.

“Given the similarities between Santander and TSB’s business model, we have previously indicated that this may be exceed over time across the combined business, however, any upside would come across the combined business and beyond our planning horizon of 2028.

“Our focus is on creating the best bank for customers in the UK and we are optimistic in the value this will create for all involved.”

What does the TSB takeover mean for customers?

The Santander UK takeover of TSB will see the combined group become the UK’s third biggest bank for current accounts and fourth for mortgages, with nearly 28 million customers nationwide.

Santander, which is owned by Banco Santander, said there would be no immediate change for customers of Santander or TSB, who can continue using their accounts and cards in the same way.

Nicola Bannister, who became chief executive of TSB on Friday (May 1), said: “Today marks a significant new chapter for TSB as we become part of Santander.

“I look forward to leading TSB as we combine the very best of these two great businesses.”

Mahesh Aditya, Santander UK’s new chief executive, added: “This is excellent news for UK banking, with the acquisition representing the single largest investment in the sector for over 15 years.

“Bringing TSB into the Santander group strengthens competitiveness in the market and is an important step in creating the best bank for customers.”

UK brands that have disappeared in 2026

There have been several UK businesses that have gone into administration in 2026, with some having already disappeared from high streets.

Major retailers LK Bennett and Claire’s both closed all their stores in April, having previously fallen into administration.

The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) has also vanished after closing its 137 stores following administration, with the last store closing in April.

UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.

TG Jones is also reportedly preparing a closure of up to 100 stores, after its owner, Modella Capital, is said to be undertaking a major restructuring of the former WHSmith high street business.

While they have not gone completely, several other retailers have been forced to close stores this year, including River Island, Poundland and BrewDog.

Several other companies have fallen into administration, including:

Recommended reading:

It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Are you a TSB customer? Let us know in the comments.

The former Top Gear and Grand Tour host’s Diddly Squat Farm has struck an agreement with Ocado Retail, marking the first time a supermarket player has carried the farm shop’s products.

From Wednesday, April 29, shoppers have been able to buy a selection of the farm lines via Ocado.com, where they will appear in the online grocer’s “Best of British” section.

The launch range features Real Ale Chutney, Blackberry Jam, Beer Mustard and Diddly Dunkers, with further additions planned later in the year.

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson invites girl, 4, to farm after yobs destroy her egg stall

Ocado Retail partnerships lead Lucy Silver said: “Diddly Squat is an exciting brand to have on site and allows us to deliver a farm shop experience to our customers’ doors.

“We’re always looking for ways to support British products and expand the choice of local produce for our customers.”

Silver added that the partnership would also support the next generation of British farming through its work with The Ernest Cook Trust.

“We’re proud to be playing a part in supporting the next generation of British farming and outdoor careers,” she said.

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson ‘finally owns up’ to his surprising secret hobby

Diddly Squat Farm co-founder Lisa Hogan described the move as a “natural step” towards making the farm’s offer more accessible to shoppers around the country.

“Diddly Squat has always been about celebrating British farming in a hands-on, practical way, from what we grow to how we share it with people,” she said.

“Supporting the wider farming community, particularly by helping more young people engage with agriculture and understand the value of British produce, is central to what we set out to do.”

As part of the tie-up, Ocado Retail and Diddly Squat Farm are jointly investing in outdoor learning and land-based skills schemes delivered by The Ernest Cook Trust.