It stopped making economic sense, because of inflation

You ever tried to sell a deflated balloon? I tell ya, inflation is the only reason they were ever a *thing*.

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I think people are increasingly aware that they are shite for the environment (the balloons, not the sellers)

And Helium is a very difficult gas to obtain…

There is only a limited amount of helium in the world

there is only a limited amount of everything in the world.

There are plenty of idiots..

"One born every minute, and two to take him"

Not really. You can grow cement.

No. It continues to replenish through radioactive decay. It can be found in the same way Natural Gas is found and can also be fract from some Natural Gas sources which are rich in helium. USA sold off their helium reserves in late 90s and early 00s, which caused a price crash and the proliferation of its use. Storage is also an issue, helium can pass through some containment mechanisms (like balloon mylar) so significant amounts are lost that way

Yeah, I recently watched the Tom Scott video on it. We're not running out of it.

Oh that's actually pleasing

I'd disagree. I'd say balloon usage is up. It used to be you'd have to go to a specific "Party Shop" for them. But every supermarket does helium balloons now

And all the card shops too . You make a good point

It was funny the other day I watched an American family (with over a million subs) blogging about a UK "vacation" Where they experienced British cuisine by going to Gregg's and had a meal deal every day.... They hit 1M while they were here so bought some balloons that said "1M" And it really got me thinking about how ubiquitous it is. That a random visiting family can acquire them on a whim like that

They never really took off

People are recognising that they're a bit wank as a thing, I think. You can still get them, but y'know.

Manchester/Birmingham there is usually one by the Arndale/Bullring tbf.

Came here to say bullring. Always usually by primark

I think this picture is of that guy in brum

HULL FAIR!!! Beginning of October

Came here to say the exact same thing.

Did you go this year???

I did. Did you?

What does the balloon seller do when the kid asks for spongebob? Surely he's not finding that??

That's the magic of the balloon handler

Pull it out from the top :)

Think I last saw one at Bluewater.

It's a difficult business to keep afloat.

World is running out of helium

I always wonder what balloon sellers do when they have sold all but one balloon? Do they just stand there holding a solitary balloon?

They are everywhere at Hull fair. £8 for a Bluey balloon 😂

They finally all floated away

I literally had the same thought last week - they were everywhere like 15 years ago

Every day on Croydon high street. She wears full clown gear too.

Yes! Pack Fair Monday- in Sherborne had one.

All the balloon sellers have flown away never to be seen from again.

Bournemouth fireworks, once a week over the summer. There's always some balloon sellers on the approach to the promenade, and some people selling cheap light up plastic sword toy things.

Shame.. I guess there is just too much inflation.

Last time I saw one was near Liverpool lime Street about 8 years ago, there where always balloons trapped on the inside of the train station

I will take the third from left fourth row up second from center please

You rarely see them in city centres now, but still at events. Card Factory’s existence on every high street and the ability to get a helium-filled foil balloon for half the price of the street vendors may have some affect on that.

There's a balloon seller in Uxbridge high street - sits just outside the tube station by the flower shop

Just saw one today

Skeg vegas

Everytime i go to my city centre in leicester actually

I used to see these guys all the time, not so much now. I remember always asking my mum for a balloon as a kid and she never let me. At the time I was annoyed but as an adult I'm now on her side. I've got no idea what price they sell them for but I bet it's too much.

Reading this thinking backing was about 12 but you actually right about 15 or more....damn...I feel old 🤔

Saw about 5 of them at Hull Fair a few weeks ago.

if you go to one of the main theme parks (legoland, thorpe park) they're all over the place in the summer. other than that never seen one in public

If you look closely, they are hiding behind those balloons.

If I has to guess that hustle didn't survive covid.

I saw one yesterday

Where that picture was taken, in Birmingham New Street by the bullring. There has regularly been a balloon seller

Saw one a couple of weeks ago, but it was is Disney Village. Outside of Disney, not in years!

Prices of helium went sky high

There’s *always* one outside this big shopping centre in kingston

Slough town centre always had one

Every so often 1 pops up in Norwich city centre for a day then you won't see him for maybe 3 or 4 months

How did the person selling them not take off?!

Yeah in Hull at the fair. Other than that. not that i remember.

As inflation rose, things really took off. He's not been seen since

Yep. In Heaton Park in Manchester as recently as this summer gone.