Sheffield History Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 REDGATES LOCATION Furnival Gate (sunwin house ?) INFORMATION Much missed toy shop that took up 3 whole floors ! This place was heaven for children who could pay money reguarly into a christmas savings scheme and redeem their books at christmas for a treat. PICTURES Coming soon.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest james Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 You just mentioned the ONE word that really brings back loads of memories of childhood. 'Redgates' What a SUPERB store that was - I would only agree to go to town with mum if she would take me to Redgates. Loved the huge rack of Subbuteo stuff, as well as all the usual top-draw toys of the time. We were spilt at one bit too as I remember, as we had a 'Hamleys' virtually around the corner. I was like a kid in a toy-shop. Literally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 Here's a challenge for you - see if you can find any photo's of the place because I'm really struggling ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest james Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 There is one of the Redgates that was on the Moor, following it being bombed, on Picture Sheffield. As I remember the history of Redgates (I once read a load of info about it somewhere on the net) it started on The Moor and moved once or twice before settling where Sunwin House now is? I'll try and find more info.. It would seem that Redgates has had 3 locations: 1) Bottom of Ecclesall Road (when Ecclesall Road met The Moor, London Road, Cemetary Road and St. Mary's Gate with a roundabout - Redgates was a little way away from the junction) 2) Near top of Moor (Where Sports Soccer currently occupies, opposite Debenhams) 3) Furnival Gate (Where Sunwin House now occupies) It was a family business for some years until a gentleman bought it in the 30's - he was the chap responsible for it moving up the bomb-damaged Moor during the rebuilding process and turning it into the much grander scale that is remembered by many a kid-at-heart now. I'll try and find out more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lesvegas Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 If anybody finds any pics of this i will wet myself Ill have a hunt please someone, there must be some somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 We are searching like CRAZY for one - and we won't give up We WILL succeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickjj Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I remember Redgates being on the moor that building is still there, it used to house a stationary / card shop but don't know if it still does as I have not been back for a couple of years. I also remember the new store opening it really was a magical place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 4, 2007 Author Share Posted March 4, 2007 courtesy of J R WRIGLEY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sparky Posted March 4, 2007 Share Posted March 4, 2007 I remember Redgates being on the moor that building is still there, it used to house a stationary / card shop but don't know if it still does as I have not been back for a couple of years. I also remember the new store opening it really was a magical place.The stationery shop was Universal Stationers, and I remember a tunnel that went from this shop into Redgates at the Sunwin House location. a truly magical place for a kid to go! I once won a gift voucher for Redgates in a Junior Star Competition and I felt like a millionaire going in to spend it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest knighty59 Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 You just mentioned the ONE word that really brings back loads of memories of childhood. 'Redgates' What a SUPERB store that was - I would only agree to go to town with mum if she would take me to Redgates. Loved the huge rack of Subbuteo stuff, as well as all the usual top-draw toys of the time. We were spilt at one bit too as I remember, as we had a 'Hamleys' virtually around the corner. I was like a kid in a toy-shop. Literally. Redgates was the stuff of childhood legends. A trip there on Saturdays with my parents was almost as good as waiting for Christmas morning.......I'm talking about the one where Sunwin House is now. I once took part in a nationwide Subbuteo tournament that Redgates held in their store. Got past round 1 but knocked out in round 2 due to a very dubious offside decision!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 6, 2007 Author Share Posted March 6, 2007 Was downstairs where the bikes were ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest moira Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Hi , Just thought I would like to tell you that my sister-in-law did the designs and displays for many years at Redgates, The internal ones and the beautiful window displays at Christmas, She never really grew up, we put it down to her playing with toys all day, even in her late twenties. Moira Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 7, 2007 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 To be honest I think as many adults as children loved Redgates so can't really blame her ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SteelCity2Another Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 Never went to the Sunwin House location but went almost every week as a kid to the one near the Moor. Remember my mate getting arrested for shoplifting a small rubber spider there back in about 1977, and I was frightened to go in again for months, even though I didn't steal anything, because I thought they would be looking out for me as I was his mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 17, 2007 Author Share Posted March 17, 2007 A small rubber spider eh ? I remember seeing one in there that was as big as an adults hand, made of rubber, and has spikey back and legs - it was fantastic and we bought it. It had red eyes and the legs were excellent - really long and the thing moved realistically as it was made of rubber too When you say the one near the moor I wonder if you mean Sunwin House - or maybe a location before that ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickjj Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 Never went to the Sunwin House location but went almost every week as a kid to the one near the Moor. Remember my mate getting arrested for shoplifting a small rubber spider there back in about 1977, and I was frightened to go in again for months, even though I didn't steal anything, because I thought they would be looking out for me as I was his mate. Welcome to the site. It is good to have another "Canuck" onboard. Enjoy the site and visit often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrinderBloke Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 Was Redgates located at three different locations at differenrt times: Furnival Gate, the the store we all know and love Sunwin House And one that I don't recall seeing mentioned Just round the corner from Furnival Gate on The Moor, it may have been a temporarily location, perhaps sometime in the early to mid 1970s. The sales floor had a ramp in it which always caught me out, seem to recall it was a large single level sales area. Can anyone shed any more light on this location? Maybe I'm just dreaming? I'm just waiting for the day a colour photo of that giant Redgates sign is finally located and posted, who needs Hamleys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SteelCity2Another Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 A small rubber spider eh ? I remember seeing one in there that was as big as an adults hand, made of rubber, and has spikey back and legs - it was fantastic and we bought it. It had red eyes and the legs were excellent - really long and the thing moved realistically as it was made of rubber too When you say the one near the moor I wonder if you mean Sunwin House - or maybe a location before that ? I'm thinking of the one just off Furnival Gate...opposite the Hind pub. My paternal grandparents used to take us there every Sunday (almost) during the early-mid 70s. I loved the toy soldiers displays just inside the main doors. Very happy memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docmel Posted March 17, 2007 Share Posted March 17, 2007 Was Redgates located at three different locations at differenrt times: Furnival Gate, the the store we all know and love Sunwin House And one that I don't recall seeing mentioned Just round the corner from Furnival Gate on The Moor, it may have been a temporarily location, perhaps sometime in the early to mid 1970s. The sales floor had a ramp in it which always caught me out, seem to recall it was a large single level sales area. Can anyone shed any more light on this location? Maybe I'm just dreaming? I'm just waiting for the day a colour photo of that giant Redgates sign is finally located and posted, who needs Hamleys. The Moor was teh location most people over 50 will remember as being THE redgates. It was there many many years certainly all through the 50's and 60's Two floors - ground floor and basement. The ground floor was mainly bikes and prams, but I remember one year they had a train set on display there - not a normal size one - this was huge - the sort any backstreet kid could only dream of simply becaue it was designed to carry kids. A slightly smaller version of the minature railways you can ride on in Stately Homes or at seaside resports Downstairs was dedicated to the 'proper' toys - two rooms, one for games etc the other mainly for kits, scalextric model trains etc. When I was really young they had a helicopter ride in the corner of this room - for 6d you could siit on this thing and it woould take you up almost to the ceiling. Hanging from the ceiling were all manner of model aircraft - all built with loving care and incredible detail by a bloke in a wheelchair. Occasionallu he would give a 'show' and build a kit out on the shopfloor a magical magical place - on the 'other' Sheffield forum I think I am right in saying that this shop had more posts in it by far when it ran a thread about old Sheffield shops - Redgates won by a mile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrinderBloke Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Thanks for confirmation about Redgates on The Moor, reading your description things are falling into place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Pond Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 The stationery shop was Universal Stationers, and I remember a tunnel that went from this shop into Redgates at the Sunwin House location. a truly magical place for a kid to go! I once won a gift voucher for Redgates in a Junior Star Competition and I felt like a millionaire going in to spend it It was also Quadrant Stationers, but don't know whether that was before or after Universal. One of them had a large poster department - downstaoits and to the left, that took up nearly the whole side of the shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Deswalker Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Was Redgates the one with the train track attached to the ceiling? I remember the planes and subbuteo stuff, but I was really little at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrinderBloke Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Was Redgates the one with the train track attached to the ceiling? I remember the planes and subbuteo stuff, but I was really little at the time. Beatties on Pinstone St. had the model overhead railway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Deswalker Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Beatties on Pinstone St. had the model overhead railway Ahhh thats the one... Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 The sign for Beatties was Yellow, Black and White as far as I can remember As for redgates - I'm trying to think of what the sign was like I'm sure it was a huge red farm gate logo on the front of the store about halfway up ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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