Railway Shop Platform 9 ¾
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter has launched a 20,000ft2 expansion, including the original Hogwarts Express steam engine and a recreation of Platform 9 ¾. The new, permanent section offers visitors a glimpse into how some of the films’ most iconic scenes were created. It is for this iconic station platform that Lumsden Design has created the Railway Shop. Taking inspiration from historic photographs of the original Lost Property Office in King’s Cross station, Lumsden has created a Victorian style shop with a wizarding twist. Visitors enter the 600ft² shop through two of three grand Victorian arches. Lumsden has used the full height of the long, narrow space to create an impactful and dramatic interior. Overly tall Victorian style cabinetry flanks the walls, displaying merchandise alongside lost luggage and unusual props. Packages wrapped in brown paper are piled high. A rolling ladder is used to display [kitchen linens not sweets]. A model railway track with a replica Hogwarts Express is placed up high and is on the move. Everything is designed to support the Platform 9 ¾ story, nothing is superfluous. The shop spills out on to Platform 9¾. A sweet trolley inspired by the film is stacked full of wizard sweets and an old fashioned newspaper kiosk displays stacks of the Daily Prophet. Everything needed for a train journey to Hogwarts is there.

Backlot Café and The Butterbeer Bar
As part of the overall extension project Lumsden was also asked to design the Backlot Café and the Butterbeer Bar. For the 4,843 ft² Backlot Café Lumsden has created an industrial style interior reminiscent of the studio backlots. A mix of large industrial lighting and dramatic studio lights dominate the space. A colour palette of burgundy and black references the Hogwarts Express livery.
A huge pair of studio set doors reveal a large scale black and white photo of Dumbledore on set in the Great Hall during filming.

The Butterbeer Bar designed to serve the famous Butterbeer is more Victorian in style, with a wooden bar and green glazed tiles. The area resembles a micro-brewery with the barrels of Butterbeer on tap and old fashioned tankards on display. Visitors can get service from Café side or from the exterior.