Countdown is on to opening of new - bigger - home for Falkirk's Harry Potter inspired shop The Lonely Broomstick

The countdown is on to the opening of a new, bigger magically inspired shop in Falkirk town centre later this month.

After months of hard work, the doors to The Lonely Broomstick’s new premises in Newmarket Street will open and welcome in witches, wizards and muggles on Saturday, November 28.

Work is ongoing to create a magical shopping street inside the shop.

placeholder image — Work is ongoing to create a magical shopping street inside the shop.

The former Wilkies store is being transformed by the team behind the town’s Harry Potter inspired shops – The Lonely Broomstick and Whimsic Alley – to bring the two stores together under one roof, while expanding and offering visitors even more magic.

Owner Leslie Lenaghen, who owns the shops with mum Doris, is making his dream plans a reality, creating one of the largest magical shops in the UK, and providing more of what the shops currently offer as well as some exciting new additions over two floors.

The former Wilkies store in Newmarket Street is being transformed into an even bigger and better home for The Lonely Broomstick,.

Customers will be able to enter and browse shops in a magical shopping street and enjoy a drink in a wizarding tavern cafe.

Building on The Lonely Broomstick’s extremely popular potion experience, there will of course be a potion room, and there may be a few other ‘experience’ ideas too.

Leslie and the team he has behind him have been carrying out as much of the work as possible themselves, and have been keeping a record of developments as they go, uploading videos on social media.

They are now excited that the end is in sight and they can’t wait to welcome everyone to the new shop.

Great care and attention to detail is being taken by The Lonely Broomstick team.

Leslie said: “For over five months, we’ve been documenting the incredible journey of transforming an empty building into what we hope will become the largest and most magical shop in the UK. And now, with less than three weeks until our grand opening on November 28, our dream is finally becoming a reality!

“Our entire team has worked tirelessly over the past five months, pouring countless hours, late nights, creativity, passion, and dedication into bringing something truly extraordinary to life.

“We’ve set out to create something unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. Inspired by the historic streets of The Shambles in York, we are building an entire indoor cobblestone shopping street, featuring 10 magical shopfronts and shops, each with its own unique character, alongside a full-sized, immersive magical tavern café.

“Every brick, every shopfront, every little detail has been carefully created to transport our visitors into a world of magic. We cannot wait for you to experience everything we’ve been working so hard to achieve!”

The new premises will feature a magical tavern cafe.

Whimsic Alley in the High Street has already closed its doors ahead of the move, but the originally The Lonely Broomstick remains open for a little longer.

Leslie continued: “After five wonderful years, The Lonely Broomstick as you know it will close its doors for the very last time on November 22.

"What started as a little magical shop has grown into something we could never have imagined, and none of this would have been possible without the incredible support we've received over the years.

“As we prepare to say goodbye to our little shop, we are getting ready to welcome you into a whole new world of magic, bigger and more enchanting than ever before.