THE wizarding world will sprinkle more magic onto a York street when two new shops open next week.

The fictional life of Harry Potter has cast a spell on millions of people since JK Rowling’s first novel was released 20 years ago and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

Seven books written about Harry and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were followed by eight films based on the books, theme parks, a spin-off Hollywood series of movies and countless memorabilia shops.

The Shop That Must Not Be Named was opened in Shambles in May and was an instant success, with people regularly queuing patiently outside for their turn to look at the merchandise inside.

Gold Brothers, an Edinburgh-based business already running Harry Potter-themed shops in the Scottish capital, is now moving into York with two new stores in the same street; The Boy Wizard, which is inside the old BootShoes4U and Something Different shops, and The World of Wizardry in the former Art Shop.

They will both be managed by Gladys Holmes, a self-confessed Potter superfan who has devoted her own kitchen to the fictional world.

She said: “Harry Potter is now going anywhere and it’s a brilliant time to open up, especially with the snow machines which are here.

“The Shambles is perfect at any time but at Christmas it’s magical.

“The shops will sell different items.

“The Boy Wizard is selling hoodies, scarves and clothing, and The World of Wizardry is all about collectables and things like mugs.”

Workmen are due to move out on Monday and it is hoped there will be a ‘soft opening’ once the stock arrives on Wednesday.

The two shops will go head to head with The Shop That Must Not Be Named, but Ms Holmes believes it will be positive.

“They are our rivals, but people need to look at it and think how lucky they are because they’ve got three shops to choose from,” she added.

“They have set the bar really high and it’s fantastic in there.

“From a business point of view we need to make this work because we have a great team behind it.

“Harry Potter is my happy place and it’s so magical that it turns everybody into a big kid.”