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AIBU?

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Original poster

to tell anyone starting a Harry Potter business in York that

107 replies

chomalungma · 27/10/2020 17:31

The Shambles was not the inspiration for Diagon Alley.

I mean it's great. The Shambles looks the part. But seriously.

1 Harry Potter shop was good. Then there were 3. Then another one joined in. And now there's a potion shop.

Still, it brings in the tourists. And it's a change from Vikings.

OP posts:
FangsForTheMemory · 27/10/2020 17:33

I thought Diagonal Alley was meant to be off the Charing Cross Road?

Original poster
chomalungma · 27/10/2020 17:34

Well some businesses most definitely have taken The Shambles as inspiration.

OP posts:
DefinitelyPossiblyMaybe · 27/10/2020 17:35

How many HP shops can one street sustain!? Halloween Grin

Original poster
chomalungma · 27/10/2020 17:38

JK Rowling on it

www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18467443.j-k-rowling-speaks-tweet-suggests-shambles-inspiration-harry-potters-diagon-alley/

It might have inspired the film setting....

OP posts:
TheSmallAssassin · 27/10/2020 17:39

I thought it was Gandy Street in Exeter?

lastqueenofscotland · 27/10/2020 17:40

I also thought it was Gandy Street!

TheSmallAssassin · 27/10/2020 17:41

But apparently JKR has dispelled that myth.

THisbackwithavengeance · 27/10/2020 17:41

I get you OP. It is riddikulus. Geddit?

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 27/10/2020 17:44

I’ve been along the Shambles pre covid and seen long queues outside several of the Harry Potter shops, so I don’t think the market is saturated yet.

Original poster
chomalungma · 27/10/2020 17:44

I would love to know what person decides to open a HP business next to an identical HP business.

OP posts:
doctorhamster · 27/10/2020 17:45

I thought it was inspired by a street in Edinburgh Confused

StanfordPines · 27/10/2020 17:45

I remember being confused about the Scottish shops in York.
Some explained it was for tourists who think that York is almost Scotland.

Choccyp1g · 27/10/2020 17:46

@chomalungma

I would love to know what person decides to open a HP business next to an identical HP business.
Well, that's how they used to do it in the olden days., hence "Pudding Lane" , "Baker Street", "Shoe Lane" etc.
BertieBloopsMum · 27/10/2020 17:48

@chomalungma

I would love to know what person decides to open a HP business next to an identical HP business.
The kind of person that has some business sense.
Zilla1 · 27/10/2020 17:54

On the spectrum between being the only purveyor of a product in a geographical market and being one of several which might attract more customers interested in that product, they presumably though the benefits of the latter outweighed the costs. There is some interesting work on cluster theory in industrial economics and human geography too.

BullBailey · 27/10/2020 17:56

What @BertieBloopsMum said. All those places were thriving last time I went to York, night as well make hay and all that.

I’m not a HP fan and was really surprised by the amount but it’s clearly successful at the moment! York is a beautiful place by the way, you have some cracking bookshops too.

Genevieva · 27/10/2020 17:57

If it is any conciliation, it has been a long time since The Shambles had ordinary shops for locals. All tourist tat shops are much of a muchness, whether Harry Potter themed, ghost themed or Viking themed.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 27/10/2020 17:58

If you see a Harry Potter shop not doing very well you’d be bonkers to open another next door. If you see three all turning over £££ with more customers than they can fit in, why would you not?

Re the comment about Pudding Lane etc, I wish we still did that and you could just work your way down Shoe Street instead of having to go all over town.

Madcats · 27/10/2020 18:03

It's a bit like Bath and "Jane Austen". Even without a JA festival this September, people were still wandering around Waitrose in costume!

TBF DD did enjoy her visit to "The Shop That Shall Not be Named" a few years ago, but I made sure we arrived 5 minutes after opening to avoid any queues.

Malbecqueen · 27/10/2020 18:04

For what it's worth... Diagonally is set in Leadenhall market in the City in London. ...

BabyLlamaZen · 27/10/2020 18:06

@chomalungma

I would love to know what person decides to open a HP business next to an identical HP business.
when I went to York I went in them all 🤭

Also, there are queues.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 27/10/2020 18:10

The Shambles is not good for the social distancing. Can't be 2 metres apart if the street isn't 2 metres wide.

HelpMeh · 27/10/2020 18:13

@chomalungma

I would love to know what person decides to open a HP business next to an identical HP business.
I live in the Middle East and this is very popular in the street shopping districts. If you need whatever thing, be it fabric, a watch, plumbing supplies, souvenirs, you go to the street that sells it and all the shops are lined up next to each other. Families are loyal to particular traders based on their connections and randoms like me just pot luck it. We also have a three storey mall that only sells computer components and software.

We don't have any HP shops sadly so be glad you're spoilt for choice Grin

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 27/10/2020 18:14

Re "cluster theory". I am so excited this is a thing. I've always wondered why that happens. Why would anyone open a Chinese takeaway or chip shop right next door to another. I'm off to investigate... SmileSmileSmile

emmcan · 27/10/2020 18:24

Ditto endless ghost walks and everywhere being 'haunted'.
That weird Scottish shop on Stonegate.
That fucking Busker Steve.

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