Shops / News
Toy shop to close after more than two decades
The owners of a toy shop in Bristol have announced its closure after more than two decades of business.
Home to books, toys, gift items and more from across Europe since the early 2000s, the Playfull Toyshop will permanently close on December 31 as its owners said “now retirement beckons”.
Quoting a song from The Sound of Music in a post on Instagram, owners Kerstin and Nigel Price said: “So long, Farewell, Auf Weidersehen, Adieu, Adieu, to you and you and you! Yes, it’s time to bid a fond farewell from all of us at Playfull Toyshop to all of you, our loyal customers and supporters.”
Playfull Toyshop was home to gifts, toys, books and more, that the owners brought in from across Europe
The shop opened on Gloucester Road in the summer of 2002, with Kerstin and Nigel spending the next 23 years fulfilling the many toy needs of the city.
Located on a street that has been called one of the UK’s “hotspots for independent shops”, Playfull’s neighbours included the vintage clothing shop, Respycho and Chilean health food shop and cafe, La Ruca.
They continued: “Our final day of trading will be on New Year’s Eve 2025. By that time, we are expecting the shelves to be almost empty.
“Please carry on shopping at all great independent shops wherever they may be! Your local high street really needs you.
“Our favourite motto ‘shop like your high street depends on it: because it really does!’
“A massive thanks again for all our great memories created by you, lovely customers, over the last two decades or so.
“23 years of crazy Christmases, and this is going to be our last. Hopefully, we’ll get to see some familiar faces before we close our doors.”
All photos: Karen Johnson
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