Traders in one of York’s most iconic streets have largely rallied around its attractions, after criticism from some York residents that Shambles is now just a Disneyfied Harry Potter theme park.
The Press received a range of views, including one suggesting that even if the street has been taken over by witches, potions, and ghosts, this was still good for business and to be welcomed. However, another branded the situation “madness".
Kelly Blair of the Kings Inn calls Shambles ‘incredible’ and ‘iconic'.
She said: “Having travelled all over the world, it’s one of the most amazing streets.”
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Shambles, York - 'Why I avoid this street like the plague'
- Shambles York has been Disneyfield - is this progress?
- York's Shambles - 'rename it Diagon Alley from Harry Potter'
- 'Shambles is an historic street and should be protected'
The publican says York residents who don’t visit Shambles are missing out, and whilst it might now lack a butcher, there’s still a varied range in the 14th century street.
Kelly cites shops selling homemade Gelato, cheesecakes, potions, ghosts, sandwiches shop, Christmas items, coins and jewellery.
She told The Press: “Every shop down here is full and thriving. Maybe Yorkies don’t want to be buying Harry Potter but what’s better than to have this amazing street?
“There’s a reason tens of thousands come to this street. I think it’s the best street in York. Kids love it, families love it. It brings people to York.”
Mike Gaskell of the Little Saffron souvenir shop is also chairman of Shambles Traders' Association.
He told The Press: “I think trading in the Shambles is fantastic. It’s a happy place. It’s a place where people are happy working here. People are trying to get a unit here. Everybody liaises with each other.”
And whilst Harry Potter was never filmed there, “it does bring people in,” he added.
At the Shambles Tavern, Chantelle McCarthur, said she likes trading in Shambles and agreed Harry Potter “brings all the tourists".
However, she says the tour guides and some queues outside some venues can block the street.
She said of one nearby business: “We are busier when they are shut.”
April Robin, who works at The Cheesecake Guy, agrees that Shambles is dominated by Harry Potter.
“It is good for business. We get a lot of tourists because they think its Diagon Alley.”
At Paul Dawson Coins, staff who declined to be named said trading in Shambles was ‘lovely’ and agreed the witches, ghosts and potions were drawing people in.
One staff member added: “There’s more of an issue with the parking rather than Shambles. Parking is causing lack of footfall.”
Another trader, who declined to be named, said York used to be about its buildings and history, but "nowadays it was all Harry Potter.”
He said he was not benefiting from the numbers the Boy Wizard has brought.
The trader added: “It’s not really for us. It’s just for kids. But what can you say.”
Finally, Sean at the Hedben Tea Shop said: “It’s bad for business because they (visitors) are just blinded by this look. They walk about and they don’t even see us.
“You get loads of people standing in doorways taking pictures. The congestion they cause is horrendous.”
Sean went on: “York used to be about history, Vikings, Romans, now it’s wizards, which isn’t true. It’s madness. It’s become Harry Potter world. If only there was an element of truth to this nonsense. It must affect every single business.”
What do you think? When did you last visit Shambles? Did you like what you saw?
Write a letter to us. Please write no more than 250 words and you must provide your full name, address and mobile number. Send your views by email to: letters@thepress.co.uk
Share