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'Littler effect' hits bullseye for darts shop sales

PA Media Luke Littler grins as he pulls his darts from the top of a board after winning a gamePA Media
Warrington teenager Luke Littler has taken the global darts scene by storm

Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler's global stardom has resulted in a darts shop run by his childhood coach having to move to bigger premises due to its "booming" business.

Karl Holden will move his store St Helens Darts Shop to the Merseyside town's centre after sales began to rocket ever since Littler reached the World Championship final in January at the age of 16.

"It's been amazing - I thought the novelty would've worn off in February after the Worlds," said Mr Holden, who has been at the current site for 18 years.

"It does every year but it carried on through."

Littler, 17, is the bookies' favourite for the 2025 PDC World Championship, which starts at London's Alexandra Palace later.

Mr Holden said he had been selling about 30 darts sets per day last Christmas but was now shifting 100 sets daily ahead of the festive period.

More than 100,000 children are expected to be opening Littler-branded magnetic dartboards as Christmas gifts this year.

Karl Holden in his shop, surrounded by images of Luke Littler
Karl Holden has coached many youngsters, including Littler

The new store will open in the new year and is expected to quadruple in size at the new premises, with Mr Holden adding it would be "much better for the customers otherwise we wouldn't move as we love this place".

There is also a waiting list of 40 youngsters for his local darts academy.

A father and teenage son watch Holden highlight items in the shop, with items lined across all walls on the till
Karl Holden (right) has had to expand stock for Christmas demand

Littler first stepped into the St Helens' shop at the age of 11 and was among many students coached by Holden.

Since the Warrington teenager captivated the nation with his World Championship run, he has won 10 titles around the world.

His impact has helped double the number of junior academies nationally, catalysed expansion plans for the World Championship and generated interest from Saudi Arabian investors.

PA Media Luke Littler enters an arena surrounded by large crowds of excited fans waving placards and filmed by a camera operatorPA Media
Littler has won 10 titles and attracted more Google searches than the prime minister

Littler recently said he "can't quite believe" he trended higher than the King in Google's most searched for lists in the UK this year.

Mr Holden, who has supported a number of elite players through their development, joked: "They've got managements and things like that and they don't need my help any more - I've done what I can."

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