Doughnut wizards spell out ‘magic’ plan for launch of Harry Potter range in York

Doughnut firm Project D is offering free treats to any customer called Harry or Hermione when it launches its new Harry Potter doughnut range at its York store on Friday. 

Doughnut firm Project D is offering free treats to any customer called Harry or Hermione when it launches its new Harry Potter doughnut range at its York store on Friday. 

Project D, which saw customers queuing around the block when it opened its shop in York city centre, last month, is launching a limited-edition range of doughnuts inspired by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books.

And anyone named Harry, Harriet or Hermione that ‘wand-ers’ through the ‘Dumble-door’ of Project D’s York store this Friday (December 1) can claim a free doughnut.

These could include the new Harry Potter-themes ‘Twix Lestrange’ or ‘The Chocolate Seeker’, created exclusively for the firm’s flagship York store due to the city’s strong connection with our Hogwarts heroes.

Most notably, The Shambles, which is a mere ‘snitch’ throw from Project D’s Parliament Street store, is widely believed to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley, the magical medieval street of hotch-potch shops that features in the Harry Potter franchise. 

Customers who are ‘Sirius’ about taking up the spellbinding offer of a free doughnut must remember to bring ID with them to prove they are namesakes of Harry or Hermione.

Max Poynton, co-founder and marketing director of Project D, said: “Ever since we opened our first permanent store in York last month, thousands of customers have been ‘goblin’ up our delicious doughnuts. 

“The response we’ve had has been absolutely magical, and we’re always looking for new ways to reward our fabulous fans.  

“This time we will treat any muggle called Harry, Harriet or Hermione with a free taste of what we believe are the world’s best doughnuts. 

“To be honest, we’re not sure how many Hermiones might be out there, but Harry’s a really popular name, so they could literally be flying through the door. For good measure, and to make it fair, we’ve added Harriets to the list of VIP customers on Friday too.

“Largely due to The Shambles and its uncanny resemblance to Diagon Alley, York has become a major destination for Harry Potter afficionados. It seemed appropriate to honour that with a limited-edition range that was exclusive to our York store.” 

Max said that the offer would be on a first-come-first served basis while stocks of the free doughnuts lasted.

“And could all Harrys, Harriets and Hermiones please remember to bring a form of identification with them,” he added.

The store in York was Project D’s first chosen location for its ambitious move into permanent stores in high streets and out-of-town retail outlets across the UK. 

The Derby-based firm has since opened a store in Nottingham and will be opening a third store in Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre in December.  

Project D’s new Harry Potter range includes the ‘Twix Lestrange’ – a ring doughnut dunked in milk and white chocolate icing to create a marble effect. The tasty treat is then topped with a piped swirl of caramel sauce and finished with a full milk chocolate Twix bar.

‘The Chocolate Seeker’ is a puddle doughnut dipped in a blue-white chocolate icing, pipe-filled with white chocolate frosting and topped with two white chocolate Terry’s pieces. It is then finished with edible gold glitter dust and a whole Ferrero Rocher.

For further information and to visit Project D’s online store, visit www.projectdoughnut.co.uk.