ALOHOMORA! HARRY POTTER MERCHANDISE SHOP REOPENS

WHETHER you’re a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, you’ll be excited to discover the city’s very own Harry Potter shop is now back open after lockdown.

Potteries Potions, in The Strand, Longton, sells an array of collectables, wands, Butterbeer and ‘house’ robes.

The store is owned by married couple Kay and Lee Burgess, from Weston Coyney, who launched the store last October.

But despite officially opening six months ago, the store has only been open to shoppers for around eight weeks in total due to lockdown restrictions.

Now the store is welcoming customers back with social distancing precautions in place. Only 12 people are allowed to enter at one time and hand sanitiser is available. Co-owner Lee was thrilled to be back open after months of website-only orders.

He said: “It’s been great so far, really busy. We’ve seen a lot of our loyal regular customers again already, as well as some new faces. “We’ve had a few changes since we first opened, so it does feel a bit like a new shop.

“It’s always lovely to see the kids running around when they come here for the first time – their eyes really do light up.”

As well as the Potter memorabilia, the store has had its own branded merchandise – including mugs – handmade by Baldwins Gate-based Black Star Ceramics.

Lee added: “We’ve got a lot of new products, including items from Mina Lima, who make replicas of props and items used in the films.

“There’s everything from notepads and journals to cushion covers with the Black family tree tapestry. The Mina Lima stuff is brilliant and really popular.

“We’re also selling the full range of The Wizards Magic chocolate, including the new kids’ range. And we’ve got three different brands of Butterbeer for people to try.

“There’s something for everyone. We’ve got the pocket money items and other things for children, such as wands, as well as the more collectable items, and wands from the Fantastic Beasts films.”

Co-owner Kay added:

“It’s been a long time coming so we’re really glad to be open again we’ve missed it.”

Shoppers were thrilled to see businesses in Longton reopening.

Potter fan Taylor Gray, aged 21, from Longton, said: “The staff are really friendly. I’ve bought things for myself but also a couple of presents for other people too.

“It attracts a lot of people to Longton from all over Stoke-ontrent which is good.”

Michelle Pickard, from Longton, added: “I’m definitely going to visit the Harry Potter shop. I never got the chance before lockdown happened again so I’ll be heading there. My grandson loves Harry Potter so I’ll definitely be taking him.”

■ Potteries Potions is open from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.