STAFF at a city centre joke shop are celebrating Halloween and trying not to get too spooked by troubled times on the high street.

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

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

Their daughter, Clare Denton, who runs the shop, said the period around Halloween is one of their busiest times of year.

She added: “People are really enjoying Halloween this year and we have been very busy - one little boy came in and told me he enjoyed Halloween more than his birthday.

“His parents were buying FX make-up so he could be half skeleton half zombie.

“This is a great time of year for us and if we have a good Halloween it puts us in a much better position.

“But we are still concerned about a reduction in footfall that we think has been caused by the new Westgate Centre.”

Mrs Denton added that Halloween costumes, fake wounds and scars and other accessories are big sellers and we want customers to come in and support us.

Celebrations is popular with residents, and students celebrating end-of-year exams.

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.