The Anonymous Widower

Debenhams Oxford – May 27th, 2024

These pictures show the current state of the Debenhams store in Oxford.

This will be the first development of those, that I talked about in Crown Estate To Spend £1.5bn On New Laboratories.

• I have deliberately shown pictures of the Junction, where the Debenhams building occupies the North-West corner.
• There is a Waterstones opposite the Debenhams building, on a busy junction between George and Magdalen Streets.
• There is a bus information display on the corner.
• There are a lot of chain eateries and a pub; the Wig & Pen.

These are a few thoughts.

Does the Debenhams Building Have Any Car Parking?

I would doubt it, but there may be a need to bring in large equipment.

Taxis To And From The Station

Note.

1. I took a black taxi from the station to just outside the Debenhams building and it cost me the princely sum of £5,20.
2. I also noted there was a rank at the rear of the building.
3. In both locations, taxis were ready to roll.

That looked reasonable.

Buses To And From The Station

Staff at Oxford station, assured me that buses were available, but due to all the road works and Bank Holiday chaos, I suspect it could be improved, when the station upgrade is complete.

Walking To The Station

I took this second set of pictures as I walked from the Debenhams building back to the station.

Note.

1. I walked from the junction by Debenhams, along George Street.
2. It was a fairly straight line and level.
3. There were no signposts between Debenhams and the station.
4. There was quite a bit of blocked traffic.
5. The route could do with some improvement like refurbished pavements and a few direction signs.

It took me about twenty-four minutes and at 76, I walked it easily.

On entering the station, I walked straight on to the platform for my train back to Reading, which was two minutes late.

Cycling

I suspect that many will cycle to work in the Debenhams building, as it is in Oxford.

But then, I suspect the Crown Estate, their architects and builders will know the appropriate provision to make.

Is The Debenhams Building At A Good Location?

When I was around 23, I used to reverse commute to ICI in Welwyn Garden City.

This involved.

• A ten-minute walk from St. John’s Wood to Chalk Farm tube station.
• A Northern Line train to King’s Cross station.
• A suburban train to Welwyn Garden City station.
• A fifteen-minute walk to my place of work.

St. John’s Wood to Oxford would involve.

• A fourteen-minute bus ride to St. Paddington station.
• A suburban train to Oxford station.
• A twenty-minute walk to my place of work.

A Brompton bicycle would help.

Knowing Cambridge as I do, the Debenhams building would be very well-located, if it were in Cambridge in a similar location, with respect to the railway station.

I feel that the Debenhams building passes the location test.

 

 

May 27, 2024 - Posted by AnonW | World | Buses, Cambridge, Crown Estate, Debenhams, Laboratories, Laboratory Development, Oxford, Oxford Station, Property Development, Taxis, Walking, Welwyn Garden City Station