‘Cataclysmic flooding’ shuts Oxford Blackwell’s bookstore

The Blackwell’s Sci-fi, Manga and Games bookstore in Broad Street, which sells comics, graphic novels and other artwork, has been forced to close indefinitely due to a flooding issue on Wednesday, May 20.

The comic bookstore is on the opposite side of the street to Blackwell’s flagship store, and its music store, which are both unaffected.

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Notices have been posted at the entrance to alert customers to the issue, informing them: “Due to a large leak, we are currently closed until further notice.”

The notice about the leak at the Blackwell’s store (Image: Contributed)

A customer, who asked not to be named, said he believed Blackwell’s is carrying out long-term complex plumbing repairs.

He added: “Notices posted in Blackwell’s Broad Street comic shop state the shop is closed long term until further notice due to a cataclysmic flood.

“The popular shop sells various comic and graphic art books.

“The cause of the flood is not known exactly although buckets and equipment can be seen through the windows.”

Blackwell’s in Broad Street which is unaffected by the flooding issue (Image: Contributed)

In 2022, historic family-run Oxford-based bookshop chain Blackwell’s was bought by its high street rival Waterstones.

Blackwell’s, which has its flagship store in Broad Street and a total of 18 bookshops, was put up for sale after its owners abandoned a plan to hand it to employees.

Blackwell’s was then allowed to continuing trading under its own brand.

The acquisition by Waterstones saw Blackwell’s in the control of the £38.4bn United States hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, which in 2019 also bought US bookseller, Barnes & Noble.

Blackwell’s president Toby Blackwell said at the time Waterstones, which also bought family-owned Foyles in 2018, had shown since that it “understands the advantages and benefits of holding diverse iconic bookselling brands”.

He added: “This is a positive outcome for Waterstones, Blackwell’s and all our customers in the UK and abroad, who will still be able to enjoy the individual nature of what both brands offer.”

James Daunt, Waterstones’ managing director, said in 2022 Blackwell’s is “amongst the most illustrious names in bookselling, a legacy for which we have the utmost respect”.

Benjamin Henry Blackwell opened his first bookshop in Broad Street in Oxford on New Year’s Day in 1879.

His son Basil joined the company in 1913 and the company first expanded outside Oxford in 1929, when it bought George’s in Bristol.

Blackwell’s Norrington Room in its Broad Street store was one of the world’s largest single displays of books in one room when it was built in 1966.

France has, for some time, been experiencing a graphic novel and comic book boom, with about one in four books sold in the country being a comic.

No one was available for comment at Blackwell’s comic bookshop, or at the main bookshop.

One Blackwell’s insider confirmed there was “an ongoing issue” at the sci-fi, manga and games store.