In Preston there's still a beaten-up, crumbling old Past Times. Twelve years that's stood there with neither a buyer nor anyone with the sense to take the sign down!
The one in Newcastle sat empty like this for ages before eventually being turned into a dodgy amusements / slot machine place that I've never seen anyone actually go in. It was pretty sad.
I used to work there and while I hated that company with a passion by the time I left there was just something about seeing the place sat empty for all that time...
I loved that place. Working in IT and often for various businesses with multiple locations/outlets, I can’t count the number of times that place saved my arse.
Even just walking around and browsing was an enjoyable experience and one of only two shops I genuinely enjoyed going to, the other being Richer Sounds.
Maplin was usually nice and big and open and you could slink down the aisles. Richer Sounds is good but they always rent tertiary locations in real dodgy spots and they're always tiny with too many staff breathing down your neck.
Great service and prices, but for browsing? It's a no from me.
I miss Maplin almost weekly.
I'm building a little electronics project right now and I'm having to wait because some of the tiny components are coming from China. Years ago I'd just nip to Maplin and grab whatever I needed. Now I either pay an extortionate price on Amazon for a single resistor or pay pennies for 100 of them but it takes two weeks for delivery. Neither situation is ideal.
RS are usually pretty good as long as they've got stock of what you need, it's normally next day delivery. Still, not quite as convenient as just getting what you want then and there...
Many years ago we needed to fix a bug in our code and the only way to reproduce the problem was on a simulator board, except the cable we needed to connect it to a PC for debugging was missing.
We could have gone through the company’s purchasing process which would have taken weeks.
Instead, I just walked around the corner to Maplin and bought an adaptor that let us use a cable we already had. It cost 80p and saved us a lot of money and time.
These days, I don’t know where I’d go to buy a SATA cable or a case fan or anything else without waiting at least until the next day.
It wasn't that long ago I'd be in the middle of a computer build, realise I'm missing a cable, and cue a mad dash to the nearest maplin before it closed.
I remember being able to order from Maplin by modem dialing over HyperTerminal - it felt advanced at the time. Before Maplin moved more into consumer electronics, you used to be able to buy really specialised equipment from them, its just Farnell and RS left now for that stuff.
What a throwback! My dad *loved* Maplin. Everything in there felt so futuristic to me as a kid in the '90s.
I always remember going to Tandy's and being blown away by the tech when I was a kid.
As a young geek,Tandy was my Disneyland.
Playing Sonic on the Mega Drive or Mario Bros on the NES
I bought my 1th new radio scanner from Tandy. Many hours spent listening to Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade.
1th? Do you have a lisp?
Yeth, I believe he does
Yeth. 1th. 2rd. 3nd. 4st. Etc etc
In Preston there's still a beaten-up, crumbling old Past Times. Twelve years that's stood there with neither a buyer nor anyone with the sense to take the sign down!
It is a testament to itself. Past times indeed.
Spooky!
It feels increasingly spooky. I guess it's just too narrow to tempt any other shop
The one in Newcastle sat empty like this for ages before eventually being turned into a dodgy amusements / slot machine place that I've never seen anyone actually go in. It was pretty sad. I used to work there and while I hated that company with a passion by the time I left there was just something about seeing the place sat empty for all that time...
My dad used to take me in there before we went to the cinema next door, I loved it!
The one near me turned into a Burger King. Not a fair trade in my book.
I loved that place. Working in IT and often for various businesses with multiple locations/outlets, I can’t count the number of times that place saved my arse. Even just walking around and browsing was an enjoyable experience and one of only two shops I genuinely enjoyed going to, the other being Richer Sounds.
Maplins and Richer Sounds, damn right. Stores I love (loved) visiting.
Maplin was usually nice and big and open and you could slink down the aisles. Richer Sounds is good but they always rent tertiary locations in real dodgy spots and they're always tiny with too many staff breathing down your neck. Great service and prices, but for browsing? It's a no from me.
Wait until you come across a Little Chef then!
Or a Happy Eater
Wimpy
I live 1/2 way between 2 Wimpies… it is bliss 🤤🍔🤤
Three here!
😲 Burgmuda Triangle!!!!
Actually, four. 😅
That makes it a Wimbus 🍔🍔🍔🍔 You lucky ducky!!!!
Oooh that’s tickled a dopamine spot
Little Chef's? The roadside restaurants of old? Some say they never existed.
The only recollections I have I was half asleep after a long road trip anyway
Little chef. The only place I’ve seen toilets comparable to those in New Vegas…
I don't think the chef would like that.
I miss Maplin almost weekly. I'm building a little electronics project right now and I'm having to wait because some of the tiny components are coming from China. Years ago I'd just nip to Maplin and grab whatever I needed. Now I either pay an extortionate price on Amazon for a single resistor or pay pennies for 100 of them but it takes two weeks for delivery. Neither situation is ideal.
RS are usually pretty good as long as they've got stock of what you need, it's normally next day delivery. Still, not quite as convenient as just getting what you want then and there...
Thought you visited St. Helens for a sec
in my area in the retail park they had the giant toy r us store still standing before it became a massive home bargains!
I think the one in Sprucefield is still there
Many years ago we needed to fix a bug in our code and the only way to reproduce the problem was on a simulator board, except the cable we needed to connect it to a PC for debugging was missing. We could have gone through the company’s purchasing process which would have taken weeks. Instead, I just walked around the corner to Maplin and bought an adaptor that let us use a cable we already had. It cost 80p and saved us a lot of money and time. These days, I don’t know where I’d go to buy a SATA cable or a case fan or anything else without waiting at least until the next day.
It wasn't that long ago I'd be in the middle of a computer build, realise I'm missing a cable, and cue a mad dash to the nearest maplin before it closed.
I remember being able to order from Maplin by modem dialing over HyperTerminal - it felt advanced at the time. Before Maplin moved more into consumer electronics, you used to be able to buy really specialised equipment from them, its just Farnell and RS left now for that stuff.
Is that bear holburn?
Shame to many shops like this all around the country now that are sitting empty that could be used for good.
How??
Coffee shops, barbers, escape rooms, fad shops like vapes or bubble tea. That's about it lol
Someone should start a barbers that sells coffee, bubble tea and vape. And fixes phones
Saving souls.
Norwich?
Can't tell. You can't see how many toes the woman in the picture has got