London’s Oxford Street may be something of a boom neighbourhood as it bounces back from the pandemic but there’s so much development happening there that it can still look like a building site in parts.

With M&S finally getting permission to demolish and rebuild its store near Marble Arch, that work-in-progress effect isn’t going to fade any time soon. 

And now Nike has closed another key store on the street as it preps its NikeTown megastore for a “grand reopening”.

The store, in a prominent location at Oxford Circus, has shut temporarily with the company not issuing an official release but Nike UK director of stores Charmain Mason saying on LinkedIn: “As we temporarily bid farewell to NikeTown London, a sporting sanctuary of inspiration for the past 25 years, I can’t help but reflect on the countless and extraordinary, events, achievements, sporting superstars, customers it has hosted or brought to life.

“Each milestone, each victory, was crafted by the incredibly gifted individuals who have graced its floors or masterminded its incomparable operations with their talent and passion.

“But I fear not, for NikeTown is not truly departing. She will return, more magnificent, more daring, and as inspiring as ever. Until her grand reopening, l’ll be carrying her spirit with me – ahh swoosh!”

It’s perhaps understandable. A store that was a trailblazer in 1999 when it opened is much less so in 2025 and the company, which is rethinking parts of its business under its new CEO, has since opened other concept stores such as the Nike Rise series of locations.

It’s unknown when the store will reopen and exactly how it will be reconfigured, but it’s clear that its giant size central position on one of the world’s busiest shopping streets mean Nike will be putting a major effort into remaking it for the modern era.