Oxford Westgate shoppers left angry over shop closure

Russell & Bromley’s store at the Westgate shopping centre has been left empty after the huge UK shoe brand collapsed into administration.

Oxford residents believe traffic measures have resulted in the major brand being forced to leave the shopping centre.

Reader Ryan Judd said: “If Oxford wasn’t so car unfriendly and encouraged people to travel into the city centre then things may be different for the Westgate.

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“The trouble is park and rides are pricey, restrict you to timetables, and take ages because they keep stopping. Maybe Oxford should consider opening back up to cars.”

Another comment from Ashley Cooper added: “The congestion charge is a factor. Reduced customers.

“Not that this was predicted. Oxford will be a ghost town soon with graffiti and coffee shops. Vape shops and barbers next.”

Russell & Bromley is closing at the Westgate. (Image: Newsquest)

Shopper Mark Storey reminisced on the previous character of the high street.

He said: “Oxford was great back in the day with free parking in St Giles on a Sunday. I used to love wandering around. It is too much of a pain to take the car to Westgate now.”

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However, some residents disagreed about the traffic measures being the main reason.

Shopper Katie Cooke said: “This literally has nothing to do with Oxford’s congestion charge and the council.

“It’s people no longer buying Russell and Bromley’s horrible expensive shoes. It had shops all over the country, not just Oxford.”

Another comment from Harriet Whittam said: “They should have reduced their ridiculous prices. It’s a shame to see any business collapse.

“I feel sad for the individuals and the workforce, but they had fancy ideas, really very ordinary shoes and highly inflated prices.”

Similarly, Josh Brewer said: “This is nothing to do with local conditions and everything to do with the fact that a UK company has collapsed because shoppers have moved online.”

Karen Franklin urged visitors and residents alike to “just get park and ride, or normal buses. See the sights, colleges, river, pubs, and the theatre”.

Earlier in 2026, the business announced all but three of its 36 stores were at risk as they had not been bought in a rescue deal.

Next snapped up the luxury footwear business from administration in a rescue deal, but the future of most of the brand’s stores and 440 staff remained uncertain.

Closing signs then appeared at the Oxford-based Russell & Bromley store.

The unit, which is on the bottom floor of the retail location near John Lewis, now only has a paper notice on the door as a reminder alongside the Russell & Bromley signs.

More Russell & Bromley shops are closing in the coming weeks as the 146-year-old retailer winds down its operations under new ownership.