Gordon Dobson who ran the excellent toyshop “Toy Town” in Leamington Spa has passed away aged 94. Toy Town was a frequent winner of Toyshop of the year in the 1970’s and 80’s. Gordon and his wife Brenda were lauded as they walked round toy fairs.
Gordon Dobson became the manager of Toy Town in 1966 and in 1977 became the managing director. In its day Toy Town was the largest independent toy shop in the country and one of the first local businesses to advertise on television.
Gordon and his wife Brenda used to visit all the major toy fairs around the world including Paris, New York and Nuremberg. As a result of his travels, he was the first UK shop to stock Playmobil and Hello Kitty.
“As a family we moved to Leamington in 1966. Over the years, all the family worked in the shop. Brenda, who died in 2007, used to work in the shop and office and accompanied him to all the toy fairs”
Mark Dobson, Gordon’s son, remembers the good times: “As a family we moved to Leamington in 1966. Over the years, all the family worked in the shop. Brenda, who died in 2007, used to work in the shop and office and accompanied him to all the toy fairs. I also had a part time job there for many years and travelled with him on many buying trips.”
Following the expansion of the shop in 1981, John Pertwee as Worzel Gummidge reopened the shop. On another occasion Rod Hull and Emu visited the shop and brought much joy to all the children.
Every Christmas Father Christmas lead a parade around Leamington and finished at the shop to take residence in his grotto to bring much joy to all the local children.
Due to higher costs Toy Town closed its doors for a final time in May 1995. The shop is still remembered with great affection by all the local people and even has its own Facebook page with over a thousand followers reminiscing about times they spent there.
John Nicholas, a toy company salesperson who knew Gordon for many years, has paid his own tribute: “Selling to Gordon was a real pleasure and as long as what you were offering was a “good” product he would say ‘well we could give it a try.’ Many of us that used to sell to Gordon sadly are no longer with us, but I am sure those that do remember Toy Town remember it with a happy heart and what a super toy shop it was. Our sympathy goes to Mark and his family.”
Arrangements for Gordon’s funeral are to be confirmed and will be announced shortly.
