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May 2022

Last Updated: 31/05/2022

Jubilee boom for independent shops in Harrogate district

by Nina Meads Lifestyle Editor

| 31 May, 2022

Still trying to find bunting, balloons or jubilee-themed food ahead of the four-day bank holiday? Five independent shops tell us how they're coping with the surge in demand.

Businesses in the Harrogate district have seen a huge demand for jubilee merchandise as residents gear up for four days of celebrations.

We spoke to five independents to find out how business is booming ahead of the four-day Bank Holiday weekend, which starts on Thursday.

Party Fever – Harrogate

Residents have been rushing to fancy dress and party shop, Party Fever, on Station Parade, to buy jubilee-themed attire and decorations since Easter.

The shop has now almost sold out of all its jubilee stock, with only a few Union Jack flags, bomber jackets, waistcoats and masks still remaining.

Sue Savill, at Party Fever, said:

“We have sold thousands of pieces of bunting, which I think is evident when you walk round the town centre, and also plates and napkins for jubilee street parties”.

Party Fever currently has a Union Jack flag made from red, white and blue balloons outside the shop, where customers can pose for photos.

HG1 Bakes - Harrogate

Charlie Lowe, owner of HG1 Bakes, said she had been busy with orders ahead of the jubilee weekend.

She said:

"I am supplying Pink Door Café, on Kings Road, with jubilee-themed cupcakes and lots of bespoke orders for jubilee-themed cupcakes too.

"It's great to see our town of Harrogate getting into the spirit of celebrating the Queen's jubilee."

Huttons Butchers – Knaresborough

Huttons’ pork pies and BBQ packs have proved popular ahead of the bank holiday weekend, with customers stocking up for street parties and jubilee celebrations.

The butchers has also created a special edition Scotch egg for the jubilee, made from its ‘coronation jubilee’ sausage meat.

Alan Bell, from Huttons Butchers, said:

“We are making them as fast as we can.”

West Park Antiques and Home Interiors - Harrogate

Customers have been going crazy for bunting, royal memorabilia and Union Jack flags at the antiques store on West Park.

More than 100 packs of vintage-style bunting have been sold in the last week.

A Union Jack wedding dress, made by one one of the traders, has been displayed in the shop window and is catching people's eyes.

Manager Lisa Hawksworth said:

"People are definitely getting into the spirit. We have had more than 250 people take photographs with our cardboard cut-out of the Queen. We have tried our best to have some fun with our display, with lots of red, white and blue.

"The Union Jack wedding dress is for sale for £600 - but we won't be letting it go until after the weekend!"

Twisted Cakes – Harrogate

Twisted Cakes, on Kings Road, has already sold out of all its jubilee cake decorations, with red, white and blue ribbons, Union Jack flags and printed toppers for cupcakes being the most popular amongst customers.

Purple ribbons to match the jubilee theme and cake toppers with the official jubilee logo also sold out quickly.

Debbie Smith, from Twisted Cakes, said:

“I have noticed a lot of customers coming in to buy decorations for school events.”

She added that people have been buying the jubilee products for at least six weeks.