'I've given this business my all': Northampton coffee shop boss in last ditch attempt to save business as lockdown looms

A magic-inspired coffee shop selling licensed Harry Potter merchandise has FINALLY opened at Northampton train station after eight months of uncertainty, only to be met with news of a second lockdown.

Coffee shop owner, Michella Dos Santos, was able to open her new unit for only a week at its new home at Northampton Railway Station before the coronavirus lockdown began in March.

On Friday (October 30), Michella was all smiles as she was setting out the last few magical props to give her coffee shop the last few spellbinding touches. But the possibility of another national lockdown was in the back of her mind.

Since Friday, in a shock move, Michella has had to let go of all of her staff after the Prime Minister announced a second national lockdown would come into effect on November 5, only two days after she reopened.

She said: "I can't believe this is happening all over again. I've given this business my all.

"Within past five or six years my business has faced such bad luck, one negative thing after another has happened to The Magic Bean, it's like there's been a domino effect of unfortunate events."

The original Magic Bean Emporium closed in St Giles Street in February this year in the face of repeated break-ins - before announcing its new home at the train station soon after.

Soon after its closure, Michella announced that her shop had found a new home within a large, vacant unit at Northampton Railway Station.

Hundreds of the Chronicle & Echo's readers were happy to see the Magic Bean Emporium make a fresh start and were eager to visit when it opened in March. Then, the lockdown began.

She added: "I'm so disappointed, I've put my all into my business and I might have to close it completely.

"I've spent months not knowing if I can reopen in the train station and only two days after we opened, we were told, once again, we would have to shut.

"My heart is broken, but I hope the public will show us some support online and keep the business going until Christmas."

The family-friendly, enchanted coffee shop now prides itself on selling official Harry Potter merchanside, which Michella now has to sell online in a last ditch move to save her business.

Staff have spent hours setting up a make-believe potion table and a Weasley family inspired corner but Michella is now hoping the public gets behind her in her attempt to take the business online.

Visit The Magic Bean Emporium online and social media to show your support.