Owner announces she is closing the book on fairytale-themed cafe in Northampton town centre

The fairytale dream for the Magic Bean Emporium will come to an end in February.
The St Giles Street Restaurant is known for its fairytale and Harry Potter-inspired decor.The St Giles Street Restaurant is known for its fairytale and Harry Potter-inspired decor.
The St Giles Street Restaurant is known for its fairytale and Harry Potter-inspired decor.

A Harry Potter-inspired coffee shop in Northampton town centre has announced it will shut its door for the last time next month.

After five years of trading from its home in St Giles Street, The Magic Bean Emporium will close for the final time on February 21.

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The cafe is known for its Harry Potter and fairytale-inspired decorating, and was ranked as the number one coffee shop in Northampton on TripAdvisor between 2016 and 2018.

Magic Bean Emporium has announced it is closing its doors in February.Magic Bean Emporium has announced it is closing its doors in February.
Magic Bean Emporium has announced it is closing its doors in February.

But in a post on the shop's Facebook page last week (January 22), owner Michella Dos Santos wrote: "We are sad to say the 21st of February will be our last day on St Giles Street.

"We thank all of you for your support during the last five years, but we feel now it's time to make space for a new business.

"We will take away with us many good memories."

It comes after her St Giles Street neighbours Peppertrees, MuMu Burger and Chata also closed their doors in the past two years.

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Michella told the Chronicle & Echo she has come close to shutting the shop several times in recent years, and suffered heavily from three consecutive overnight break-ins in 2017 and 2018.

In fact, in June 2019 she made the announcement on the shop's Facebook page that she was closing down - but was encouraged by representatives from the borough council and the University of Northampton to stay open and capitalise on Waterside Campus' student population.

But now, six months later, Michella is closing the book on this chapter of the Magic Bean Emporium.

She told the Chron: "The main reason is the footfall has just dropped.

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"II think the biggest hurdle has been Rushden Lakes opening. That first weekend had some of my lowest ever takings for a Saturday. We all thought the novelty would wear off but it became apparent people were shopping there rather than town. I think it's really really damaged town centre.

"I can't say anything against the borough council. They've kept us quite steady and the rate-relief a few years ago really was a very good help. But it just hasn't been enough."

Miichella ended her Facebook post by saying the cafe was hoping to relocate in the future.