The last of the three Harry Potter copycat shops in Shambles has closed.
The Enchanted Galaxy, found close to Marks & Spencer at the Pavement end of the famous street, moved out at the start of half term week.
It was one of three stores opened by the Gold Brothers company, to cash in on the popularity of The Shop That Must Not Be Named.
That was the brainchild of York entrepreneur Adam Rodway, who opened his Potter-inspired shop in May 2017. It has been a huge success since opening, doubling in size the following year.
Sensing an opportunity, the reclusive Gold Brothers moved in. They are one of Edinburgh’s most prominent retailing families, running a series of gift shops selling tartan kitsch in the Scottish capital.
In November they opened The World Of Wizardry, complete with sorting hats and broomsticks, in the former Art Shop at the end of Shambles.
This was quickly followed by The Boy Wizard, in numbers 22 and 23 Shambles, and they later added a Game of Thrones-themed shop on the street.
Copyright disputes with Warner Bros over the Harry Potter names forced the retailers to rename its wizard outlets.
The Boy Wizard became the Galaxy Geek store and the Game of Thrones shop became Geek Outlet. Selling a range of TV and film fantasy gifts, they have both been closed for a while.
The World of Wizardry became The Enchanted Galaxy. It was only taking cash for the last three weeks of trading before shutting for good this week.
YorkMix understands another retailer has shown an interested in taking over that lease. So Shambles, which has a magic all of its own, has seen off the Gold Brothers but will continue to cast a spell over residents and visitors.
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