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This single shop was built in 1938/9 on the site of two narrower old shops at 11 and 12 Cornmarket. The date 1938 can be seen inscribed on the corner between the windows of the first and second floor.

The image below shows the former shops that stood on this site

The former shops and the present building have always been in the parish of St Michael-at-the-Northgate Church.

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The former No. 11 (on the right)

On 26 September 1849 George Dicks, who described himself as late Cook to the Noblemen, Masters, and Students of Christ Church, announced that he would open dining rooms here on Saturday 3 October 1840, and that he would also supply balls, routs, dinner, and water parties.

These premises were occupied by the saddler C. Collins in 1842.

On 3 April 1847 the chemist Frederick Telfer announced that he had moved here

By 1890 the Metropolitan & Birmingham Bank Ltd was here, but they only remained for a short time and in 1891 moved to its new purpose-built premises on the other side of the road at Nos. 59–61.

Lloyds Bank opened its first Oxford branch here on 1 January 1900. This was intended to be temporary, as the bank was already planning to build its new premises at 2–3 High Street.

The previous buildings at 11 & 12 Cornmarket in c.1905.
On the right of the photograph is the northernmost part
of the Roebuck Inn at No. 10; in the middle is the whole
of No. 11 (Hamlet & Dulake's estate agent's office); and
on the left is most of No.12 (Margetts’s hatter’s shop).

The former No. 12 (on the left)

No. 12 on the corner of Market Street was left to the council by Alderman Payne after his death in 1619, with the rent of 6s. 8d. a year to pay for the repair of the constables' staves. For more information on rentals here, see H. E. Salter, Oxford City Properties, p. 253.

The shop was rebuilt in the mid-1840s. Together with 1 & 2 Market Street adjoining, it was then owned by Mrs Amelia Tyson Brazier. She died in 1847, and on 6 May 1848 Jackson's Oxford Journal announced the forthcoming auction of this property:

“Lot 1.—The FREEHOLD HOUSE and PREMISES, occupied by Mrs. Scott, hatter, being No. 12 Corn Market-street, and No. 1, in Market-street, in the City of Oxford; comprising, on the basement, an excellent light kitchen, with beer cellar, larder, and coal cellar, force pump, and good supply of water; on the ground floor, the excellent well-known and old-established hatter's shop, having a frontage to Corn Market and Market-street of 45 feet, or thereabouts, together with a private entrance from Market-street, handsome staircase, water closet, &c.; on the first floor, a handsome good-sized lofty drawing room and comfortable sitting room; on the second and third floors, four excellent lofty and airy bed chambers, with every requisite convenience.—The only outgoing with which this property is charged is a payment of eight shillings upon each quarter day to the almsmen of Bartlemas.
   The whole of these commanding Premises have been lately entirely re-built in the modern style, under the superintendance of an eminent architect of this city, and the external appearance is only equalled by its interior comforts, which to be properly appreciated must be seen.”
(Lot 2 was 2 Market Street.)

This freehold house and shop at No. 12 had a rental of £120 per year when it was again advertised for auction in Jackson's Oxford Journal on 18 April 1863. The windows facing Cornmarket and Market Streets were described as having about 250 square feet of glass. The lease of the tenant, the tailor George Margetts, was terminable in 7, 14, or 21 years. Margetts died at the age of 53 on 8 August 1866, and Frederick Margetts (probably his nephew) continued with the business.