The Hidden Glasgow Forums

I could be mistaken, but I think Toymaster is a franchise operation and a very large one, at that. Not an independent 'wee toy shop'.

I don't think it's a franchise as such.
I was led to believe that it was a kind of "umbrella" for independent toy shops to have a bit more clout in things like being able to buy stock at reduced rates like the big retailers can so that their prices can compete with for the likes of ToyrUs.
But,I might be wrong. I often am!

ibtg wrote:I could be mistaken, but I think Toymaster is a franchise operation and a very large one, at that. Not an independent 'wee toy shop'.

According to their website
Toymaster are the largest group of independent toy retailers in the UK and Ireland.

Unlike most retail groups, however, our shops are not franchises - they are independently owned.

There used to be several of these collectives around, Inter-Sport is one that instantly springs to mind.

Ta for that Ally.

Had a look at the website & noticed that Glasgow & the west of Scotland don't have a single store! Weird.

Anyone remember Tudhope's that was on Holmlea Road - not far from the Toledo cinema?

As a child I pronounced both as they are spelled - and couldn't understand why everyone always laughed.... Wonder I don't have self-esteem issues!

MadameZiggy et al - you are absolutely correct - Toymaster is not a franchise, but speaking personally I would be reluctant to call anyone who participates as a member of Toymaster a traditional wee toy shop. Depends on what each individual thinks of as 'traditional'.

Personally. I think that the Sentry Box and the Big Top at Charing Cross and (when it stocked toys) Abacus, are lovely traditional toy shops. I may be accused of 'Wendyness', but I don't think plastic toys that can be bought anywhere - including supermarkets, are the only toys children should have. I know there is a place for them as everyday stuff kids will grow out of and break and then the toys are thrown away. Just today's disposable philosophy at work, as ever, I suppose.

I like toys that are well-made and can be treasured as well as played with. I guess I'm getting old!

And speaking of supermarkets selling toys - as with books and other specialist goods - that is why toy shops are not necessarily a viable concern. They can't BUY the goods for what the supermarkets SELL them for, even with the help of Toymaster. No-one can blame parents for shopping where the goods are cheapest or most convenient, but it's the death knell for independent retailers. Use them or lose them.

A bit of a rant, I'm afraid, but that's my opinion.

There was a toy shop in Paisley Road West, sited at the corner of
Ican't rememberthename Street. Big window on the corner with a fully working train set. You could drop a penny into a slot at the side of the window and the train went round a few circuits. I think the collected pennies went to a children's charity.

Sutherlands in Duke St/Hillfoot St became, in it's latter years, Toymaster.

There was Macdonalds Toy Shop in Skirving Street in Shawlands, complete with coffee shop, funny, how things turn out, its now just a Coffee Shop (Beanscene).

You also have the Paisley Model Centre http://www.paisleymodelcentre.co.uk/