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Fans are queuing down the road at the St Helen’s Darts Shop, where Luke “the Nuke” Littler bought his first arrows, as he fights for a spot in the World Darts Championship final
Fans queued down the road ahead of Luke Littler’s hotly-anticipated semi-final clash in the World Darts Championship on Thursday night.
And it’s not just at the Ally Pally where the crowds are gathering – they’re also flocking to the shop when the teenage sensation bought his first set of arrows.
Business is booming at the St Helen’s Darts Shop, which Luke “the Nuke” first walked into aged 11. The youngster, aged just 17, could be on course to land his first world title if he defeats Stephen Bunting in his semi-finals match.
Shop owner Karl Holden said the “Littler effect” was amazing. He said: “It’s crazy, demand is massive, bigger than ever.
“We’re selling boards, lights, surrounds, everything. I don’t know where they’re all going. This time of year has always been a peak month, but last year March was even busier than December.
“Normally, come Easter, things die a death, but so many kids are playing darts now we get busier in the school holidays. Luke Littler has had that effect.”
Outside the shop, Lee Wingfield had just bought a darts board for son Billy, 13. He said: “We’ve been watching the darts and it’s good to see a local lad doing so well… two local lads doing so well.”
Littler booked his place in the semi-final following a 5-2 victory over Nathan Aspinall. Lee said: “I’ll be supporting Bunting, but Billy is backing Luke. So there will be a bit of rivalry at home tonight too.”
Also in the shop were Gavin and Gaynor Henderson, looking for a new set of darts. He said: “We love watching the darts every year, we only live down the road so we thought we’d pop to the shop.
“When we came round the corner I had to laugh at the number of people queuing up outside a darts shop. It shows how the game is getting bigger and bigger.”
The shop has become so popular that Karl is now opening a second premises in the town. He was selling around 100 boards a day in the build up to Christmas, and the demand is continuing to grow.
The Warrington teenager captivated the darting world when he reached his first world final last year aged 16. He first walked into Karl’s shop aged 11 and was one of many students coached at his darts academy.
His success – with 10 titles in the last year – has helped double the number of junior academies nationally. Ahead of the semi-final, it emerged Littler had snubbed his opponents calls for a practice session earlier in the tournament.
Revealing that Littler didn’t return his calls, Bunting joked: “No, he didn’t ring me. I think Luke is obviously set in his own ways. His dad did speak to me about practice and stuff, but for one thing, going another, it just didn’t happen.
“I’m sure we’ll practise in the coming future, but yeah, it just didn’t happen leading up to this. But like I said, I’ve got a lot of respect for his family, for everything he’s done for our sport. He’s elevated it to another level. I’ve got to turn up and make sure that I’m the best version of myself.”
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