The Room of Requirement Coming to Cardiff’s Historic Arcades

Calling all Cardiffian Potterheads – Magic is coming to town! In the coming months, should you find yourself traipsing through the Castle Arcade, concentrating on something you require in particular, you might just be lucky enough to stumble upon the arcade’s newest addition. Relocating from Hogwarts’ seventh floor is the ‘Come and Go Room’ – and if you’re not a Hogwarts house-elf – better known as the ‘Room of Requirement’.

In the past, the room has served to fulfil many witches and wizards’ greatest needs. Dumbledore once stumbled upon the room with an especially full bladder, to find it full of chamber pots. Whilst it transformed into a broom cupboard for the mischievous Fred and George to hide from Filch. Lest not forget, the room fulfilled the requirements of Dumbledore’s Army, serving as their headquarters and practice area. For you, the room will transform into a shop, stocking everything Harry Potter (basically essentials for every doting fan).

When the shop will be open for business remains a mystery (for updates you will need to keep an eye on the store’s Facebook Page). However, what we do know, after having a peak into the unit awaiting the room’s occupancy, is that the shop features a beautiful staircase – featuring its very own cupboard under the stairs – it’s as if it was destined to be.

Unfortunately, whether or not this spectacular store will be able to use the original name idea is still up for speculation. It seems that there is a possibility that it infringes copyright, and Warner Bros may not approve of the use of the name. The owners are still hopeful, however, and have taken to their Facebook page in high spirits to ask their ‘future customers’ for their ideas – we personally like the suggestion of ‘The Wizard’s Cwtch’.

Either way, we hope that the shop will be ready to fulfil the requirements of all our wizarding friends this Christmas. We can only wish that this is the beginning of Cardiff’s very own Diagon Alley.