SO PETER, HOW DID WHIRLIGIG COME ABOUT?
Basically, we spotted a gap in the market. Originally a primary school teacher, I taught children aged 8 to 10 years old. When our nieces and nephews reached this age, I realised that we had grown out of all the lovely toy shops we visited when they were young children and found very little that I really liked that was suitable for older children. I’ve been a maker all my life and so put together my knowledge of children and their development with a range of ‘things to make and do’ and out popped Whirligig.
WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU LAUNCH WHIRLIGIG?
We started in Brighton in 2012, with Tunbridge Wells becoming the location of our third shop in 2015. Our other shop is in Canterbury.
WHERE DOES THE NAME COME FROM?
Growing up in Brighton, on the seafront in the 1970s there was an old fashioned lighting display that moved and turned. Me and my dad always called it the Whirligig – so the shops are named for my dad. It’s actually a Shakespearean word from the Tempest, but I feel it sums up the sorts of toys we sell very well.
WHAT WILL WE FIND WHEN VISITING STORE MANAGER MATT AND THE TEAM?
We love toys that really engage children – something that is going to spark their enthusiasm, get them thinking and learning a new skill along the way. We really don’t like toys that get taken out of the box and thrown away minutes later. Many of our toys may feel a little old fashioned, but to children that doesn’t seem to matter! Classic games that the whole family can enjoy and new ideas that get them involved are what we love. We have a huge range of making activities, lots of logic and thinking games and some beautiful toys for our younger visitors.
WHAT MAKES WHIRLIGIG SO SPECIAL?
We think it is because we know what we are talking about. Our team in Tunbridge Wells have played most of the games, made most of the models and know what is inside every box. They can give advice and guidance and help people find their perfect present.
Many customers walk into our shop and are surprised by the range of products. We try to work with really small and independent companies who are not in the mainstream shops and offer really high quality products. But most of all, we just love to play with the toys – it is a nice part of our job!
HOW DO YOU FIND SO MANY WONDERFUL, INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS?
We visit toy fairs in the UK and Europe and often meet small manufacturers through our contacts. The key is to look at the instructions and the materials that they are made of – if we don’t love it, it just doesn’t fit into our range. We are always on the look out for new products – my key role in the business is ‘toy researcher’ – it’s the best bit!
IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF TOYS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR YOU?
Absolutely. We have done all the obvious things like recycling and reusing and try really hard to only stock products that have a high play value and that will be used many times. Many people like to think that ‘wood is good’ – however, there are some really poor games made of wood out there, so this is not always true. We now plant a mangrove tree in Madagascar every time we receive an online order and have strong relationships with charities that provide toys to disadvantaged families at Christmas.
YOU HAVE A GOOD PRACTICE AWARD FROM THE ‘LET TOYS BE TOYS’ CAMPAIGN, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
This is really important to us. The Let Toys Be Toys campaign aims to let children choose what they want to play with rather than be dictate to by gender stereotypes. If you want to be a princess, that is great. However, we’d rather children weren’t told they had to be, or indeed, told that they are not allowed to be. We were the first ever company to be awarded the Toy Mark showing that we try really hard to present toys that are about play rather than gender.
WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR GIFTS THIS CHRISTMAS?
There are so many to choose from, but this year, I really like our range of music boxes to make. They have amazing details and with a bit of tenacity, children can make a fully working, moving model and feel fantastic about it. We have some wonderful family games as well this year, and I particularly like Concept Kids Animals, which is a who’s who of the animal kingdom.
WHY SHOULD WE VISIT OUR INDEPENDENT TOY SHOPS THIS CHRISTMAS?
Our independent toy shops are full of wonderful things, team members who know what they are talking about and surprises that you haven’t even thought of. It is where children can have a traditional Christmas experience without being forced to follow the crowd and the whole family can find something just right for them.
For art and craft kits, construction projects, wooden toys and games for all the family you can find Whirligig Toys at 90-92 Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells and with a TN Card you can enjoy a 10% discount across the store.
Join the TN community for £20 a year and enjoy rewards at over 400 local independents at www.thetncard.com
