Barnby's toyshop

My daughter looked in on the forum last night and said her favourite shop was Barnby's toy shop in the Precinct. We bought her a puppet one birthday - a pirate - about 18" high. We said she could choose any one she wanted and out of all the lovely characters she chose that one. However, she is a primary school teacher now and after all these years he is still brought out for storytime. The youngsters love him. We spent many hours round that shop (and avoiding it if we could)!

I am looking for a photo of Barnby's toyshop that used to be near the Locarno dance hall, would be really grateful if someone knows where I could view one

Brownie points for any picture of Barnby's before it moved to Smithford Way? Edited by member, 31st Oct 2017 3:47 am

Hi Dutchman, Hi all I seem to remember it at the junction of what was Fleet St & the new Corporation Street, almost where the Co-op had their shoe shop, which they might still have.

It was brilliant wasn't it? Those really expensive soft toys in the window!

Hi Philip You may be thinking of Saxess Baby Carriages on the corner of Spon Street and Fleet Street? According to planning records Barnby's was in Corporation Street but it was at No 41 exactly at the point where the road bends opposite the Telegraph. As a result the shop front faced two slightly different directions. The original shop front was destroyed in the war along with the neighouring Rex cinema but was rebuilt in 1951 in exactly the same place.

Hi & thank you for that Dutchman If I had endured a nasty time at the orthopaedic clinic in Dover St, a new truck or something for my railway soon put it right as we walked back into town.

Barnbys was too expensive for us - if I was good at the eye hospital I'd get a bag of sweets or a book from Woolies!

Hi Philip Do you remember the section of Barnby's reserved for the short-lived Triang TT railway system?

Hi Dutchman Yes, I do, the 3M. It was Hamleys (from London) who backed that along with Triang. They introduced their mail order catalogue at about the same time which covered several of the scales, O, OO, OOO which became N & OO9 as well as 3M or TT. Them wort days!

The main problem with the TT system was that there was very little available for it apart from what Triang made. The OO/HO system was roughly the same scale as Matchbox cars and Airfix figures and Buildings so accessories were readily and cheaply available. I had a friend who had also got a Minic Motorway system integrated into his train layout and although with hindsight it didn't work that well or look that good we thought it was brilliant, especially the level crossings and cartruck loading system. The 3mm society still thrives today so there is still a lot of interest in TT.

Would love to see Barnbys again myself in the Precinct. Recall the doorway was set back with glass "showroom" windows either side full of the latest toys. Then upstairs I loved the wood framed glass cases with all the Corgi cars in.

Neil you have described Barnby's to a T, even having to go upstairs to look at all the puppets hanging up was like a day out for my two. We had too many Corgi cars to mention. We found a good detour whereby they were promised an ice cream rather than an expensive visit to the best shop in town - for them!

The one thing I've never ever forgotten about Barnby's in the Precinct is the model train layout upstairs in the glass case!!! There were two oval shaped tracks on it, with a "BR" liveried diesel engine (possibly a "Class 25"???) pulling two coaches on the bottom track and then above it on the top track was a small steam engine pulling some goods wagons!!! You had to put a 2p piece in the slot to get both trains running around, although the steam train (or some of its wagons?) was often to be found derailed!!! Lol. Because there was a station platform at the front on the bottom track, it was always a challenge as a kid back then to get the coaches being pulled by the diesel engine to stop if you can, right outside the station??? I think your 2p only kept the trains running for about a minute or two at most and so when your money ran out, I always hoped that it had stopped at the station??? Nine times out of ten, it would no doubt stop somewhere around the back of the display case and so it was off to the counter then with my 10p piece to go and get some more 2p's!!! I often wish I could turn the clock back and go back to those good old days visiting the likes of Barnby's again, but sadly that will never be!!! I wonder what ever happened to that glass case containing the train layout???

Hi there CKV 1D, There used to be a shop in Hales St. with a train circuit in the front window. You put your 1d in the slot & watch that go around. About 1953ish.