A CITY centre joke shop, which has warned it could be forced to close, is looking forward to Halloween, one of its busiest times of year.

In March the owners of Celebrations in Turl Street warned they could be forced to shut up shop due to a reduction in footfall.

Footfall in Oxford is up 8.9 per cent during the past 12 months, following the opening of the Westgate Centre but some shoppers have deserted Cornmarket Street.

The store, which sells party costumes, fancy dress and toys was opened in 1992 by Rod and Barbara Denton.

It has been popular with residents, and students celebrating end-of-year exams and Halloween brings a boost in trade.

Clare Denton, who runs the shop, warned earlier this year that it could be forced to shut as the business was not making enough money.

The mother-of-two said 2017 was a particularly bad year but with Halloween, on October 31, just around the corner, she is feeling more upbeat.

She added: “I do believe the opening of the Westgate Centre has hit our trade because once people have parked and shopped there they are too tired to come any further.

“But this is a great time of year for us and if we have a good Halloween it will put us in a much better position.

“Halloween costumes, fake wounds and scars and other accessories are big sellers and we want customers to come in and support us.”

The spring is also traditionally a busy time for the shop as Oxford University students snap up costumes.

Sports store Elmer Cotton, also in Turl Street, opened in 1911 but announced last month that it will move to online-only trade at the end of the year.

The Oxford Gallery in High Street struggled to cope with the online shopping boom and increasing costs and closed last month. Owners blamed a rise in rent and increasing costs.

Aspire Style in High Street has also closed, blaming high business rates.