Rush of pumpkin shoppers in Furness ahead of Halloween

RELATED ARTICLES:

Are spooky south Cumbria sightings proof of ghosts?

Customers risk a close shave at Barrow demon barber’s

Muncaster Castle jester ghoul just wants to have fun

Why abbey provides perfect setting for author’s mysteries

Pumpkin expert provides some food for thought

How to avoid a Pumpkin disaster

As Halloween draws in, Brocklebanks greengrocers in Dalton and Ulverston have been rallying round to cater for the area’s pumpkin needs.

Wray Brocklebank, who owns the greengrocers, has more than 35 years experience of selling pumpkins.

This year, staff at Brocklebanks have been rushed off their feet selling crates of pumpkins to families.

Wray Brocklebank, said: “It has took off actually so it’s been good. These last few days have been really busy.

“It’s a last minute thing and next week we will be even busier, people might miss out. We have done about 500 up to now, so it’s really good. It is as good as it has been.”

After already selling out once, Mr Brocklebank placed another order of the popular Halloween veg.

“We are definitely urging people to get their pumpkins while they can, as fingers crossed we will sell out by next week.”

Mr Brocklebank remembers when pumpkins weren’t so readily available.

“It is an American thing, back in my day we did it with massive swedes.

“In fact when I thought that I was going to be short this time I actually found a source to get some big swedes, but that was only if there was going to be a shortage, and there hasn’t.”

Also feeling the rush of Halloween shoppers as well as the struggle to compete with bigger stores is Linda Miln, who owns the Fruit and Veg Stop in Barrow Market.

She said: “We sold out really quickly. I got them in Saturday and they were all gone by Monday. There is a bit of a pumpkin shortage but I think it’s because of the supermarkets. They are all selling them in big boxes for 50p which I cannot do, I can’t compete with them.”