WHIRLIGIG TOYS IN HORSHAM
First published on 1st June 2024
Creative toy specialists Whirligig Toys opened a new store in Horsham’s Carfax on Saturday 25 May.
It is the sixth store opened by Whirligig Toys – named after a Shakespearean word used in Twelfth Night – since the business was founded in Brighton in 2012.
Owner Peter Allinson said: ‘We expanded quickly, with four new branches in our first five years, with a further two opening this year, taking us to six overall. We are now the largest independent toy company in the UK, as most toy shops on the High Street are owned by companies such as Toymaster. All our stores are in the south east, with Horsham following Brighton, Chichester, Worthing, Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells. As the owner, I like to be involved with every branch, which is why they’re all located close to my home in Brighton.’
‘Horsham is a wonderful new opportunity for Whirligig Toys. It feels like a town that is thriving again after Covid, with new housing attracting families to the area and lots of independent shops and restaurants in the town centre. I have known Horsham for a long time and it now feels like a town on the up, so we’re delighted to have a new store in the Carfax. While The Entertainer has closed, Horsham still has Toy Barnhaus in Swan Walk, but there’s no crossover in terms of what we offer. They do a very good job, but Whirligig is a different kind of toy shop.
CREATIVE PLAY
At Whirligig Toys, the focus is on engaging children and encouraging creativity through model-making, origami, painting and drawing, construction kits, puzzles and family games. Peter describes his role as ‘full-time toy researcher’ and places great importance in researching and testing toys and gifts before selling them. If it’s on the shelf at Whirligig, then it has met his own standards, and staff at each of his stores learn about the wide variety of products during training and induction.
Peter said: ‘I used to be a primary school teacher, so have always been interested by what engages young people. When shopping for gifts for my own nieces and nephews, I found some fantastic toys for early years development, but by the time they reached primary age, there was very little around that encouraged them to play creatively. Most of the toys on the shelves were many throwaway products that children typically tossed aside after a few minutes. I realised there was a gap in the market, which inspired me to open a shop of my own.’
‘I love to create, whether that’s crocheting or making music, and believe children can pick up and develop hobbies and skills when given the chance to explore through play. That is especially true of children of primary and junior school ages, who have developed dexterity, tenacity and opinions. So, we have an area upstairs dedicated to older children, full of things that will challenge them. That doesn’t necessarily mean educational toys, as although there is often a learning aspect to the gifts we sell, the term “educational toys” sounds a bit worthy to me. If you’re having fun, you learn and develop skills anyway.’
UNUSUAL ITEMS
The Horsham store is split into three parts. The main section has everything from arts and crafts for two-year-olds through to logic and thinking games for teenagers and young adults. An infant section has a range of beautiful gifts from suppliers you’re unlikely to find in a High Street toy shop, such as French company, Djeco. Whirligig Toys also has challenging wooden puzzle sets, buzz wire games and even robotic spiders. Peter said: ‘I’m never going to criticise a company like Lego, but you can buy it in Tesco! We need to offer something different, so we work with companies you won’t find at major retailers. There are small producers creating wonderful arts and crafts, as well as toys that give children of all ages a meaningful experience. We are often their biggest UK stockist, which means we have a great relationship with these companies and can offer unusual items.’
‘Our Horsham store - like all our other stores – will have photos of people showing off the things they’ve made after buying them from the shop. They are just the most joyful photos to have around, with the smiles of children who have achieved something special. That really sums up what we’re all about.’
Further information:
40 Carfax, Horsham, RH12 1EQ
(01403) 333252
