Beecroft and Son (Toyshop)


Recommended Posts

Hey Mick, you might remember this.

Beecrofts was the largest toy store in Nottingham with three floors of stuff. Then there was the top floor in the roof that was a storeroom as well as where we used to take customers who had purchased a model aircraft engine and show them how to run it (pointing out an open window).

Young David Beecroft would have been in his twenties, his father was quite senior and would stand around with hands behind back watching the proceedings.

The shop used to hire out an electric passenger train for parties, it was about a 12 inch gauge and one of the older young ones used to go with it. I remember another David who rode a scooter and ended up marrying the girl who worked in the dolls department, it all happened in six months.

There was Jim the weight lifter, he was the security person, with his winkle picker shoes and stove pipe trousers, never without a jacket and tie.

I am sure there will be many other names come to mind as I find the photos.

I worked in the basement hobby section specialising in model aircraft. There was Les Blore and a Chris as the seniors and myself and a robert as juniors, remember we were only 14 years of age at the time. They were great years and it was sad to have the place shut down and taken back over by Boots.

I have dug up a couple of photos and will post more as I find them.

All the best

Andrew Cole.

post-14-1178941975_thumb.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

Here is Les Blore with one of his superb museum quality models.

post-14-1178944661_thumb.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for those memories Andrew...

Fondly recall my childhood visits to Beecroft's...a place to drool for many kids, short on funds.

Interested by your reference to the security man.

Initially, might seem like the legendary 'Bouncer in Mothercare' but well known that there has always been a thriving 'underworld' in the models/toys market.

I knew a bloke in Leicester who made a very nice living - thanks very much! - on the proceeds of model railway product theft; especially as the City was circled by several leading manufacturers such as Palitoy and Bachmann.

A veritable Fagin, with numerous lads making furtive arrivals at his side-street shop with concealed packages.

Cheers

Robt P.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it was opposite the ABC around the corner from Chapel Bar towards Maid Marion Way.

;)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ayup Radford.

Beecrofts I believe are now based at Scarle not far from Swinderby but it's mainly internet and postal shopping they deal with now

Rog

Link to post
Share on other sites
I think it was opposite the ABC around the corner from Chapel Bar towards Maid Marion Way.

;)

The shop opposite the Carlton/ABC was Beatties.

Skills had a very cramped toy shop just above West End Arcade. Fantastic (to an 8 year old) selection of Lego in "pocket money" packs.

There was another toy shop close by. Anyone recall it?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes Bamber, They certainly did have a stall in Central Market.

I recall working there on many an occasion with a tall thin chap with glasses and large ears, I just can`t quite remember his name but I am sure I have a photo somewhere, but where?

The Central Market stall was mainly model trains. Got it!! Ron was his name.

Memory is a funny thing, the connections to various parts of it are very obscure sometimes.

I will try and look up Beecrofts on the web.

Regards to all

Andrew cole.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...

Hi Andy

I remember the Central Market stall very well. Whenever I went with my mam to the market my objectives were (1) the model railway stall and (2) the pet stalls opposite the Palais.

The model railway stall was, I think, more like a glass kiosk than a market stall. It either had a very high counter or I was a lot shorter in those days.

Incidentally are you the former (and now current) Anitpodean old Mundellan of Oakdale Road perchance ? If you are, good on yer me old mate - if you aren't, well good on yer anyway.

Malc Fox

Link to post
Share on other sites

G`day Foxy,

yes I am indeed the same. I have been trying to contact you via the Mundella site but to no avail.

I would like to converse with you about all things past because I appear to have a hole in my memory that the powers that be say I should try to get working again for theraputic reasons.

Being as you appear to be an absolute treasure chest of memories, it would be great if you could contact me at elocwerdna@hotmail.com. Anyone else who may remember me is welcome as well.

As I sort through my stuff, I keep tripping across small packets of very fragile 120 black and white negs which I have been able to scan and invert to create an image.

Regards Andrew Cole.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 2 months later...

Hi Everybody,

I also remember the toy stall on the Central Market, but I also remember Skills had a big toy store on Alfreton as well as the one in the West End Arcade.

Perhaps it is still there..I don't know..I remember looking at all the fantastic toys in the shop window and inside was sheer magic to me.

Skills toy shop was on Alfreton Road just above Bentinck Road where the Skills bus trips went from.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 4 years later...

Reviving an old thread because I came across this old picture of the Exchange - the forerunner of the Council House - in the 1870s. Beecroft's toyshop is clearly on the corner, so when did the business start?

beecroft.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 4 years later...

Four years since I have been here and I find a photo of my exact memories. I have been in contact with Sue Beecroft. David was interviewed by some historical society because he is the last of the Beecrofts. No more will we see their store and yes, they are now an internet store only. I guess our generation has seen so much of the tradition be broken up or fade away. Even the military traditions are gone.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 7 months later...

Hi Dave, I'm pretty sure one of our crew will come up with something. Maybe they had an establishment next to the Market Square / Exchange Walk. Some local experts will know.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...