Having opened on Wednesday 4 November 2026, I went the same week but on Friday at lunch time to go have a look at the big hype.

The first thing, you have to scan a QR code, which gives you a ticket to get into the store. How long that will last, I don’t know. However, and funny enough, even though the lady said it would take 40 minutes for my white ticket to turn to green so I can enter. It didn’t, only took about 5 to 10 minutes.

You do have the advantage to get a sandwich from Marks & Spencer opposite if need be. I so happened got a bottle of water and a chocolate bar from there.

When I finally went back over to get into the store, I was given a free little knight-bus store pin. (However this maybe limited to the very first people who visit this week and next week)

The store is full to the brim of everything over two floors, from choosing your wand, to the god-awful cheap sweets and chocolate that have never been improved. I even feel the butter beer is fowl concoction and can’t be healthy for anyone let alone a seasoned Potter fan.

I had a good look around and saw some things that really stood out, including the knight-bus at the back, well, the front of it anyway. I was told it came in, in parts and was reconstructed inside. To the left of that, there is a stairway that takes you up lined with photos which are a taste of Hogwarts inside the store. Up you went to see, what was described as a bear feature upstairs, but I don’t think anyone actually really understood or took too much notice yet. Even the staff seemed confused by the focused section.

While on the other-side upstairs there is The Leaky Cauldron restaurant to eat at. I didn’t go in this section as; well, it was jam-packed with muggles! I had a look at the wares of Flourish and Blotts section directly next to the restaurant. Then I proceeded down the escalator and out where it says Floo Network above on a large plaque upon exit.

Before I left, I had a little look around that immediate area, found the dragon and stage exit left!

I could honestly see the store being stupidly busy for six months, it may be just as bad over the Christmas period. Clearly the Potter universe is live and well, and there is clearly a huge market still for the franchise.