Trans rights protestors disrupt opening of new flagship Harry Potter store in London

A new flagship Harry Potter store has opened in London's famous Oxford Street,  joining the five other stand-alone stores across the British capital, New York, Chicago and Tokyo. 

Fans gathered early for the opening of the 21,000 square foot store, some in costume. Shortly before the store officially opened, around a dozen pro-trans rights protestors gathered to urge people not to go into the store and spend money.

Demonstrators used megaphones to lead chants such as "Trans rights are human rights" and "Blood on your hands," a reference to what trans rights groups claim in transphobia by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.  

They said this has perpetuated a hostile environment in which trans people are denied healthcare and are more likely to die by suicide.    

Rowling, who wasn't present for the shop opening, explicitly denies being transphobic or anti-trans rights. In a X post this week she said trans rights campaigners are pushing for  "women to lose their sex-based rights to accommodate men who say they're women."

A spokesperson for the new store said: "We support everyone's right to the peaceful expression of personal viewpoints and look forward to a day full of magic."

Warner Brothers Discovery have billed the store as an interactive retail experience, with a life size Ironbelly dragon, Diagon Alley retail zones, a triple-decker Knight Bus and the Leaky Cauldron café serving Butterbeer, among other treats.

All fun for fans of Harry Potter, but serious business too. Carla from London is planning to spend up to $150 dollars. "Harry Potter stuff isn't cheap," she told CGTN Europe, but she said her budget may slip "as Christmas is coming."

The shop will contribute to a brand worth between $25-35 billion with an annual revenue of $3.5-4.5 billion.  

It also comes ahead of the Christmas Day release of HBO's eight-part TV series based on the first book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." It's part of a 10-year commitment that will see all seven books adapted for the small screen, with author J.K. Rowling serving as executive-producer.

The TV show is hotly anticipated and is likely to introduce a whole new generation of fans to the magic and the spending opportunities of the wizarding world.