Dare you cross the threshold of England’s spookiest shop?
The York Ghost Merchants opened on a suitably dark and stormy night this Friday (16 August) – but that didn’t deter a queue of inquisitive locals and tourists eager to explore this brand-new experience.
With 1,200 ghosts, it must be the most haunted store in the country.
And they live in a beautifully recreated Georgian shop interior, designed to match their historic Shambles home which dates from the 1780s.
Each ghost is unique – and designed to be a very special souvenir from this most haunted of cities.
Spine-tingling atmosphere
They have crafted the ghostly experience with exquisite attention to detail and a healthy sprinkling of wit.
With nothing but a ticking grandfather clock for a soundtrack and the odd creak and groan as drawers and cupboard are opened, the shop has an evocative, spine-tingling atmosphere.
Tiny figures emerge from the period-style woodwork that houses the hundreds of hand-made ghost figures.
Each is unique and beautifully packaged in its own gold-leaf printed box.
The baby ghosts cost £7 whilst the larger ones, wrapped in a reproduction map of the city, cost £14.
The ghosts are all made in York and will, later this year, be crafted in the workshop on the first floor of the shop. Soon you’ll be able to book a ghost making session, and create your very own spirit.
Stretching back centuries
In this way, says Angus, The York Ghost Merchants is as much a visitor experience as it is a shop.
A few years ago he created the Great York Ghost Search, which has proved so popular with families at Halloween.
Angus felt York needed a ghostly souvenir to go with its reputation as a city of spirits. And so the York Ghost was born.
There’s an intriguing back story centred around The Sorrowful Guild of Master Ghost Makers, which stretches back centuries – you can read about that here.
Go and explore the shop yourself – and follow The York Ghost Merchants on Instagram.
Ghostly gallery
