New gothic shop, Dark Artsy 1300, opens in Accrington

Dark Artsy 1300, located in Peel Street between Yanocha and Smash Guys, opened on June 30 and has already been a success, with people flocking from out of town to see what is in store.

Heather Dean, 38, from Accrington and Stuart Leadley, 44, from Blackburn, decided to partner up and open their own business selling unique gothic and spooky items including Ouija boards, skull figurines, clothes, gifts and much more.

Since they started their business, the response has been incredible, they said.

Dark Artsy 1300 (Image: Heather Dean)

Heather, speaking about the opening of her store, said: “I started off in children’s craft and naturally I love all things spooky, and horror and people were gravitating towards skulls.

"I just thought to myself why not just create and sell the things that I like and see what other people think.

“It just took off and I realised that there is something here in this area and I’m an alternative person myself, I have pink and green hair and I just wanted to have a nice place that is safe for everybody, that is just different.

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“You can’t get anything like what I do unless you go to places like Bury Market or Manchester.

“And so far, it has been great, it's like a little community.

“There just isn’t anything around for people who like something different so there is definitely a gap in the market for it and hopefully more people will come forward and do it.

“People can expect a friendly atmosphere, chatting, talking, there is a range of clothes, crafts, handmade gifts, all different sorts of things, its one of those places when you see something it isn’t going to be there forever.

“The response from customers has been fantastic so far, on Saturday I had people queueing outside my shop before I even got there, and I have met lots of really nice people and people are even coming in from out of town.”

Inside the new shop (Image: Heather Dean)

Heather is already looking to the future, hoping to offer classes to young people as well as opening a spooky bar.

She said: “In the future we have workshops planned in the summer holidays for young people called Batlings and Gothlings and I am aiming towards the age range of 10 and upwards and we are going to be doing candle making, craft activities and teaming up with the Bubble Tea place next door for that, and I also host birthday events so will want to continue those.

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“In the future I hope to also get even bigger, I would like to get my alcohol licence as I would like to open a spooky, gothic, horror bar.

“I have got lots of plans for the future already.”

Dark Artsy 1300 is open Thursday to Saturdays from 1pm.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.