Oxford Street It was known as Tyburn Road through the Middle Ages when it was notorious for public hangings of prisoners in Newgate Prison. It became known as Oxford Road and then Oxford Street in the 18th century, and began to change from residential to commercial and retail purposes by the late 19th century, attracting street traders, confidence tricksters and prostitution. The first department stores in Britain opened in the early 20th century, including Selfridges, John Lewis and HMV. Unlike nearby shopping streets such as Bond Street, it has retained an element of downmarket trading alongside more prestigious retail stores. The street
Brewer Street, Oxford south of the main site, to which it is linked by a bridge over Brewer Street. The new buildings were expected to be completed in 2012. The author Dorothy L. Sayers (1893–1957) was born at 1 Brewer Street on 13 June 1893. The house is marked with a blue plaque. Brewer Street, Oxford Brewer Street is a historic narrow street in central Oxford, England, south of Carfax. The street runs east-west, connecting with St Aldate's to the east and St Ebbe's Street to the west. Originally, the area was occupied by butchers and slaughters, giving it the name Sleyng Lane