Limey 242 Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 When we were walking up to the Bell the other week, Mick mentioned Toby's - which brought back very strong memories. How many of us, as young boys or girls, went there to buy a knick-knack for our mums for Christmas? I vaguely remember buying Disney figures there, and much later (when I could afford it), a "Toby" jug! However, I also remember walking away on many occasions somewhat despondent because of their prices! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 It was posh alright! In 1975 I bought a french pressure cooker from there. Still got it somewhere? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Now why don't that surprise me ??.................... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,547 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Remember going past the place on lots of occasions as a kid, but I don't think I ever went in it. It had a large-size Toby Jug figure somewhere on the outside wall - over the main entrance? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EileenH 496 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Toby`s! Oh yes I remember it. Too posh & expensive for me though. Remind me where it was. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,547 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Near the bottom end of Friar Lane, on the left hand side as you face the Market Square. The building is now a bar called "The Approach" (unless it's changed within the last few weeks) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,879 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 I think it used to have little canopy's (red) over the windows. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 I've spent ten minutes scouring this picture for a piece of evidence that Tobys was here but I can't see 'owt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,879 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 That's the place with the arched windows. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 I knew that Den, I meant I was trying to find something left behind to show they were there ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rilanda 3 Posted May 1, 2011 Report Share Posted May 1, 2011 I have placed a post in the general chat section about Toby's, maybe I have placed it in the wrong section. I do remember Toby's well, still have some wine glasses that were bought from there in the 1950's. When did the shop open, and when did it close? This shop was a sad loss when it finally closed its doors. The quality of its goods was always top drawer, however, they did have sales of seconds when bargains could be found. Any other memories of this Nottingham store. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mess 632 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 I worked at Boots QA Labs (D10) at the Beeston site between 1968-72 and sometimes used to work Saturday mornings as overtime. The bus that Boots laid on for Saturday morning workers used to pick up outside Toby's at about 07:30 arriving Beeston works at 08:00. I well remember waiting one Saturday morning in the freezing cold with my good friend Paul Seaman smoking and talking about football and girls We'd jump on the bus (I think one man buses were just coming in) run up the stairs and light up. Paul used to do an excellent impression of Eric Morecambe and was a big Forest fan. I was (and still am) a County fan so we used to have some lively exchanges. I think Paul may still work at Boots. There was a bloke in the labs at Boots called Mr Pegg who managed 50 years. I never gave it much thought at the time but that means he joined them in 1918! He must have had some fantastic tales to tell but I was crazy 18 year old back then who just wanted to smoke and talk about football and girls. Doesn't life teach you a lot? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,547 Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 Even though everyone of a certain age remembers the place, there don't seem to be any photos of it when it existed. Must be the most non-photographed building in Nottingham. I found this which isn't great, but it's the closest I've seen of Tobys when it was still there. And you also get the partly-built ugly 1960s concrete block (still an Aussie bar?) on the other side of the road; and that cafe on the corner has been mentioned here before Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fynger 841 Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 This is all i could find... Its Vernon House .....I did however find THIS THREAD on my search....that dint help tho...LOL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimmy87notts 22 Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 My grandma, Joan Peck, Used to work at Toby's department store right up until its closure. She worked in the china department and then for Royal Dalton department when she was head hunted. Does anybody have any photo's of it or want to share your memories. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,547 Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 You'll find quite a bit of information on the subject http://nottstalgia.c...ic=8206&hl=toby http://nottstalgia.c...ic=8065&hl=toby and within a number of other threads as well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
banjo48 928 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 My dads older brother, my uncle, was a graphic artist at Toby's for most of his working life, he had a major stroke in his early 60's then passed a little later. He was responsible for all the display artwork and signage around the store. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Enigma. 1,533 Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 Looking north east towards Old Market Square. Toby's Department Store is to the left (with the canopy over the windows) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted November 16, 2012 Report Share Posted November 16, 2012 Post No 13 shows a number of vehicles on the road. I can see a Morris Traveller, a Commer commercial, an Austin Cambridge and is that a Ford popular or is it an Anglia? To keep on topic - yes I also remember Toby's. My mother used to take us kids in for a look around every so often. Could never afford to buy owt though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Commo 1,292 Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 Started work in 1963 at the North British and Mercantile with offices on the floors above Tobys. It was easy to run dwn the stairs and buy a Terrys Waifa to have wth the cuppa most mornings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,547 Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 Never seen this one before, but it's the closest I've seen to a photo of Toby's. http://www.pictureth...000735&prevUrl= Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poohbear 1,360 Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 Those canopies...whoever thought of them was a genius...they were a landmark in the Friar lane area. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zen 0 Posted December 7, 2013 Report Share Posted December 7, 2013 Since Tobys closed it has been an antiques centre and then a restaurant before it became the Approach. Can anyone remember what the restaurant was called? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fernilee567 33 Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 In 1960 I worked at Boots day & night on Wheeler Gate.I went into Toby's in my lunch break to have a look around- very nice- but far to expensive for me on £3 per week ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,109 Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 I was always afraid of knocking something over in the glassware area. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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