New shop is just magic!
Harry Potter fans Kay and Lee Burgess have opened their own shop dedicated to the schoolboy wizard. They talk to BETHAN SHUFFLEBOTHAM about The Shop That Cannot Be Named
ARE you a Hufflepuff or a Gryffindor? Fans of the wizarding world of Harry Potter will be able to find out as a new North Staffordshire store opens today.
The Shop that Cannot be Named has opened on The Strand, in Longton, and is jam-packed with merchandise from the world-famous series.
Customers can have their photo on Platform 9¾, or take a selfie with ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’.
The shop – spread over two floors – is the brainchild of husband and wife due Kay and Lee Burgess, both aged 43, from Weston Coyney.
Kay was inspired to launch the business during lockdown, and got straight to working her magic.
She said: “Lee’s sales agency was doing really well, and he wanted me to start a business to do with something I’m passionate about.
“We’ve previously sold Harry Potter stock at comiccons, but I thought it would be amazing to have a Harry Potter shop in Longton.
“The idea struck around a month ago, and we’ve worked really hard to get everything together in the past few weeks.”
The couple are hoping Potterheads from across the UK will travel to the store to pick out their own wand or robe.
Kay – who would queue up at midnight when each new book was released – added: “There’s nothing like this in Staffordshire, and we hope it will bring some magic to Longton.
“We want it to be a place for tourists to visit – it’s not just a Harry Potter shop, it’s an experience. I’m just excited to see what everyone thinks.”
Downstairs, the shop is selling a selection of wands and collectables, such as the wizarding chess board.
There’s also Wizard’s Magic chocolate, created by the Phelps twins James and Oliver, who play Fred and George Weasley in the movies.
Upstairs there’s a Hagrid section, Dark Arts area, girl power corner – with Luna and
Hermione – and a floating broomstick.
Lee, who prefers the films over the books, added: “Once
we get an idea, we have to do it.
“We’ve put the shop together really quickly and there’s still lots we want to do.
“I’ve gotten a lot of ideas from the films – I’ve rewatched them all twice in the past fortnight.
“Eventually, when a customer picks up a wand, they’ll be blasted with air and light up.
“We’re getting a sit-on broom where people can have photos – and once Covid-19 is over, people will be able to wear the sorting hat and discover their house.”
There are currently allowed to be 10 people in the store, with sanitiser stations at the entrance.
The couple have employed mega-fan Craig Scott, aged 39, who’s even sorted his pet cats into Hogwarts houses.
He said: “I’ve got a Harry Potter themed room at home and my cats have their own houses.
“I have quite the Harry Potter collection, but it’s only going to grow more working in The Shop That Cannot Be Named.”