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Barnby's toyshop

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Dreamtime
Perth Western Australia
1 of 59  Thu 14th Jul 2011 2:57am  

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)!
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
Memories Of Coventry
Coventry
2 of 59  Sat 23rd Mar 2013 11:24pm  

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 Thumbs up
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
dutchman
Spon End
3 of 59  Sun 24th Mar 2013 3:05am  

Brownie points for any picture of Barnby's before it moved to Smithford Way?
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
4 of 59  Sun 24th Mar 2013 10:20am  

Hi Dutchman, Hi all Wave 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. Wave
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
woodford
coventry
5 of 59  Sun 24th Mar 2013 11:41am  

It was brilliant wasn't it? Those really expensive soft toys in the window! Wave
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
dutchman
Spon End
6 of 59  Sun 24th Mar 2013 1:11pm  

Hi Philip Wave 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.
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
7 of 59  Sun 24th Mar 2013 2:14pm  

Hi & thank you for that Dutchman Wave 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. Cheers Wave Thumbs up
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
woodford
coventry
8 of 59  Sun 24th Mar 2013 9:23pm  

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! Big grin
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
dutchman
Spon End
9 of 59  Sun 24th Mar 2013 9:35pm  

Hi Philip Wave Do you remember the section of Barnby's reserved for the short-lived Triang TT railway system?
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
10 of 59  Mon 25th Mar 2013 6:52am  

Hi Dutchman Wave 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! Happy Lol
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
Old Lincolnian
Coventry
11 of 59  Mon 1st Apr 2013 2:35pm  

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.
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
NeilsYard
Coventry
12 of 59  Wed 3rd Apr 2013 12:54pm  

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.
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
Dreamtime
Perth Western Australia
Thread starter
13 of 59  Wed 3rd Apr 2013 2:25pm  

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! Wave
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
CKV 1D
COVENTRY
14 of 59  Thu 4th Apr 2013 8:22pm  

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???
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop
PhiliPamInCoventry
Holbrooks
15 of 59  Thu 4th Apr 2013 8:52pm  

Hi there CKV 1D, Wave 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. Wave
Industry, Business and Work - Barnby's toyshop

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