Shoppers at Aldi’s Water Lane store in York have a new parking option this Halloween. The supermarket has opened a dedicated bay for broomsticks, fitted with a purpose built rack, spooky signage and broomstick markings on the floor.
Why York Got the Bay
The location came from a poll. Aldi surveyed 2,000 Brits about Halloween, and more than 1 in 4 named York as the most haunted place in the UK. At 28%, the city came top of the list.
York is already known for its ghost walks and witch history tours. Placing the bay there gave the stunt a local hook that both regional and national press could pick up.
What Witches Will Find
The bay is built to look like the real thing. A rack holds the brooms upright, signs mark the space as reserved for broomsticks, and vinyl on the floor shows where to park. It works as a photo opportunity for shoppers and stays in place until October 31.
“Complete with its own rack and spooky signage, it’s a spellbinding way to welcome witches and wizards,” said Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK. She said the bay gives them somewhere to leave their brooms while they shop for good value Halloween favourites.
Aldi says customers and children who have seen the bay have been thrilled with it.
How Big Halloween Has Become
The same survey shows why supermarkets now treat Halloween as a major season. According to the poll, 78% of Brits say it is bigger in the UK than it was 5 years ago, and 84% enjoy celebrating it. Two-thirds are decorating their homes, and the average person plans at least 2 Halloween events or activities.
The average Brit expects to spend £50 on the season. Costumes take the biggest share at 23%, followed by sweets and treats at 22% and decorations at 12%. Pumpkin picking is the most popular outing at 48%, ahead of themed amusement parks, spooky cinema screenings and ghost tours. Around 40% plan to host a party, spending an average of £65.
The Problem With the Price Tag
The poll also found that 83% think Halloween has become too expensive. Value for money matters to almost everyone shopping for it, with 84% calling it very important. That is the gap Aldi is aiming at.
What Is Waiting Inside
The bay leads shoppers to a Halloween range priced under £10. Halloween inflatables cost £9.99, and a large spiderweb costs £7.99. The food line includes Creepy Breaded Chicken Bats at £2.99, Ghoulish Garlic Bread at £1.79, a Witches Green Cheese Cauldron at £3.49 and Gruesomely Spooky Sliders at £5.99.
Chocolate bats cost £1.99 and Halloween sweet tubs £3.69. Pumpkins start at 35p, which Aldi says is the lowest price of any UK supermarket.
A Stunt Built for the Camera
Aldi’s PR agency Taylor Herring is behind the activation. The bay sits in a single store, but it was built to be photographed and shared. A broom rack in one York car park ends up carrying Aldi’s Halloween price message to people who will never shop at Water Lane.
Campaign Name: Witch Way to Park? (title of Aldi’s press release)
Agency Name: Taylor Herring
Brand Name: Aldi UK
Location: Aldi Water Lane, York, United Kingdom (until October 31, 2026)
