Toy shops back in the day

[x-pack]

I was just having a mooch around for photos of Star Wars toys on the shelves back in the day. There's surprisingly little about but below are a few interesting links. Does anyone remember Toy & Hobby shops? They were like the UK Toys R Us back in the 80s. Can't find a single thing on Toy & Hobby.

Star Wars
http://www.plaidstallions.com/toystores3.html


http://www.plaidstallions.com/toystores2.html


http://www.plaidstallions.com/toystores/five.html

MOTU/Transformers etc
http://www.freewebs.com/zodiactoys/apps/photos/photo?photoid=59778535

 

[Grant_C]

MISB :shock:

 

[Stormtrooper37]

I don't even remember Toys R Us when I collected Star Wars and other toy lines back in the late 70's and 80's.

There was a toy shop called Gamleys - that was good. Toy Fair - that was good too and other independent toy shops, which in my opinion were much nicer places than Toys R us, which I personally can't stand.

 

[ODB]

Toys r Us only came to the UK in 85 so its doubtful they ever carried Star Wars. I remember Tesco, Gamleys, JH Lorimers and Woolworths all carrying Star Wars and other lines, in fact my local Woolworths put out some MOTU Snake Mountains in 1994. I do wonder if I should have brought them.

 

[x-pack]

Deffo. Little shop in Chorley, Lancs had loads of mini rigs right up until about 95. Bought some but should have bought the lot :roll:

Love to see these old toy shop photos. I guess not many people took photos in shops. When we visit London always go to Hamleys and get a few display photos. Some great stuff in there

 

[TC-14]

Great links there, Barry- I'm surprised too at how little exists on the recording of shop displays. I've been trying to find photographs of my local independent toy shop (called Youngsters), just images of the frontage outside would suffice (I've given up hope of any photos from inside)... been on 'local memories' Facebook pages, trawled the internet... absolutely nothing.

It's a great idea that you take pictures in Hamleys- it will spark a memory with your kids when they reach our age :wink: I just wish my parents were as keen on recording retail history :lol: I can still see that Star Wars display now in Youngsters, it was absolutely captivating... at least I have the memory, if not the actual photographic evidence

 

[x-pack]

Exactly. I remember going past harrods around 1982 and seeing their star wars window display. The set up was like the ESB catalogue with the at-at Hoth scene. Remember it to this day. If I was my dad I would have taken loads of photos.

 

[rob71]

Great links Barry - ah the old time machine wish again ... the independent toy stores were the best for me, my home town had Doggarts and Solo (Fine Fare pre Asda was always pretty good as well) and Sunderland had Josephs and Joplings. Will see what I can find on these...

 

[x-pack]

Cool. Definitely post up any links you can find. Interesting to here about the various larger toy stores. Seems there were different chains up and down the country. I know Toy & Hobby had a large store in Preston and Chester. Haven't heard of these others. Nowadays every town has the same shops.

 

[Fishtalk]

Anyone remember a chain of shops in the u.k called Baby days? A primitive Mothercare, mostly prams, pushchairs and other baby essentials but my local branch had a small selection of Star Wars figures. In fact I bought 80% of my figures there. I think they went out of business in the late eighties, probably when Mothercare first appeared.

 

[Palifan]

I remember Beatties stocking Star Wars back in the day but most of my childhood collection came from Martins toy shop in Kingswood Bristol. It was a great place I used to go to all the time and they used to keep all their figures in big wicker baskets on the floor. Probably not the best for keeping the the card backs box fresh but at least they weren't punched .

There was another post office/ toy shop next to the school I went to (Speedwell) and I remember seeing loads of 12 backs and 3 sealed Palitoy death star playsets in there in the late 80's. Wish I'd picked some up but at the time I wanted to spend my money on a skateboard, idiot!

 

[Stormtrooper37]

Beatties rings a bell with me too.

 

[TC-14]

I don't remember Baby Days, but like Paul says: Beatties rings a bell, too. I had (and still do) have family dotted all over the country, so it's quite possible I ran (literally) into said toy shop to look at their wares. And come out with at least one figure :lol:

 

[jabbawokkie]

i can only remember asda and zodiac toys up top of doncaster .near to where odeon cinema used to be .there was also a store on inoor market that had some figures