Tradition of London Shop ...... CLOSING !!! (1 Viewer)

[Obee]

I got this notice in an email today:

Tradition of London Shop

It is with great regret that we have to advice, that after 60 years Tradition of London Ltd. is closing its shop.

The 31st of December 2012 at 5a shepherd Street Mayfair London, due to circumstances beyond our control.

Tradition of London will continue as a manufacturer with world wide mail order service, with our Agents throw out the world.

If you have any queries please contact: magnus.lindstrom@traditionoflondon.com

Kind regards
Magnus Lindstrom

So it looks like another maker can't support the 'walk in customer', and has to resort to mail order and internet shopping.

That only leave the Guards Toy Soldier Shop to visit in London on my next trip

John

 

[Jack]

Perhaps this explains the choice that manufacturers have in any industry - raise prices to match rising costs or keep prices low and have a loyal customer base to mourn your passing. I have never had a contact with this manufacturer other than a firm plan to visit the shop when I am in London next year, so it is not a comment about them in any way, just a general observation.

 

[4th Hussar]

With the Imperial War Museum closed and Tradition closing - why would I go to London ?
{sm2}

I got this notice in an email today:

Tradition of London Shop

It is with great regret that we have to advice, that after 60 years Tradition of London Ltd. is closing its shop.

The 31st of December 2012 at 5a shepherd Street Mayfair London, due to circumstances beyond our control.

Tradition of London will continue as a manufacturer with world wide mail order service, with our Agents throw out the world.

If you have any queries please contact: magnus.lindstrom@traditionoflondon.com

Kind regards
Magnus Lindstrom

So it looks like another maker can't support the 'walk in customer', and has to resort to mail order and internet shopping.

That only leave the Guards Toy Soldier Shop to visit in London on my next trip

John

 

[kogu]

Sad to hear that an iconic Toy Soldier company like "Tradition of London" have to close their "real" store and will only continue online.
Konrad

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Some of you may have heard that a fine old Toy soldier and Military Miniature Shop “Tradition of London” is closing its doors.
For me, and I am sure many others, this is a huge personal loss. When I first started re-collecting “New Toy Soldiers” back in 1980 whenever I visited London I would always make a point of visiting “Tradition” in Shepherd’s Market (and also when they were in Curzon Street).
Back then it was like going into an Aladdin’s Cave for toy soldiers… Glossy traditionals… Matt connoisseurs and grey/unpainted castings – what a huge choice… Plus there were all kinds of great books and magazines relating to uniforms, weapons, regiments and, of course, toy soldiers and military miniatures. I could (and did) spend many a happy hour (or several) browsing before making my final selection. And… I always ended up spending way over my original budget!
During this time I got to know all the regular guys who worked in Tradition especially the manager Steve Hare.
Steve was, and still is, a great and knowledgeable character in this hobby and business… He is a fund of useful information and is always willing to share it. In the Toy Soldier World, Steve knew “where all the bodies were buried”… Heck, he might even have buried a few himself!
It is a sad fact that Toy Soldier Shops and Hobby Stores are indeed an endangered species… Although the internet is useful it can never compete with the simple joy and pleasure of opening the door of a real-live toy soldier shop, hearing the little door bell ring, seeing cabinet after cabinet full of toy soldiers and listening to the proprietor say, “Good morning, Sir, and how can we help you today?”
Visiting “Tradition” was a big part of why I always enjoyed visiting London… and after December 31st…. it will be gone… and London will be the poorer for it.
With grateful thanks to Steve and the boys at “Tradition”. All success in the future with whatever ventures and adventures you get up to… With best personal wishes,

Andy C.​

 

[johnnybach]

Whilst the closing of Tradition's shop in London is a little sad - I think that it was almost inevitable. It's the way of the World that as technology changes - shopping habits, amongst other things, will change along with them. The Internet is slowly transforming the way that we buy things in many areas. Books, music products etcetera - so Toy Soldiers are really no exception.

I used to love Tradition, and often bought their their castings - and deep down - still do.

BUT - to keep open a shop in one of the most expensive places to trade - has to have impacted on the cost of their products, which over the years have almost inexorably crept up. I'm guessing what has happened is that prices have now reached a point where people like me (who have never visited the shop - and only bought online from them), no longer buy their products - but shop elsewhere for similar looking products at lower prices. I don't really care WHERE a business is located now - as I actually like shopping online - but I do care when a simple casting costs around double that of a similar looking product from a competitor.

So............whilst I sincerely wish Tradition well for the future - I'm hoping that their reduced costs - through not supporting an expensive shop in a very expensive part of London, may result in prices that tempt me back to being a customer again. And I mean that - because their products are often outstanding. But when I can buy a similar casting elsewhere for around half of the price - and with a bit of work, transform it into something close - then that's exactly what I do.

Best of luck to Steve and the lads for the future - Johnnybach

 

[Mitch]

I think its right that it was inevitable the internet has transformed the way we shop and, its here to stay. I am sure over the coming years it will happen again and again. How many brand names have now no longer shops in the high streets or shopping centres?

As JB stated it should be a good thing for the prices should come down quite a bit which, should help them and collectors.
Mitch

 

[aujj65]

We don't actually know why the shop is closing - "due to circumstances beyond our control" - but whatever the reason it's a tragic loss to the hobby. I have visited a number of times over the last couple of decades for both Tradition castings and K&C purchases, but as Andy has stated there is/was a huge choice of items to pick from. Really is sad news.

Jeff

 

[churchmouse1]

We don't actually know why the shop is closing - "due to circumstances beyond our control" - but whatever the reason it's a tragic loss to the hobby. I have visited a number of times over the last couple of decades for both Tradition castings and K&C purchases, but as Andy has stated there is/was a huge choice of items to pick from. Really is sad news.

Jeff

In this economy, no landlord is throwing out established tenants, so I'm betting the overhead was crushing them. I'm doing the same thing, except I don't have an internet presence upon which to fall back. I remember my first visit to Tradition, when I was 14 years old. I was mesmerized, and my parents let me pick out a few sets, and I spent the bulk of my allowance savings that day. Even though Steve shipped them back for us as if I'd mail ordered them, there was still something special about shopping for them live. Ever since, I've tried to visit the shop whenever my London trips would allow. There will definitely be a large hole to fill on my next trip to London. (And what is this about the Imperial War Museum being closed?)

Dave

 

[theBaron]

Imrie-Risley has made the same move. I can appreciate the nostalgia those who have been able to visit the store have, but as long as the figures are still produced, it's not as bad as all that, for us.

Prost!
Brad

 

[ucla1967]

I am really sorry to hear this. The trend is very clear that brick and mortar toy soldier shops are becoming a dying breed and that at some point most, or all of them, will be gone. It is hard to beat a store full of toy soldiers where you can actually see and touch them in person as opposed to the impersonal eBay or on-line auction internet experience.

 

[jac28]

<<< (And what is this about the Imperial War Museum being closed?)

Dave>>>

I went to the Imperial War Museum website and read this:

"Transforming IWM London
Over the next decade we are transforming IWM London, creating new gallery spaces and new ways for you to explore our unique collections.

In summer 2014 we are launching the first phase of our ambitious plan - our new atrium and brand new First World War Galleries.

2014 marks the 100-year anniversary of the start of the First World War. Claiming the lives of over 16 million people across the globe, this war changed the world forever and we live with its consequences today.

To mark this landmark anniversary we will open our new world-class First World War Galleries. Using the latest historical research and our exceptional collections we will offer new stories, new perspectives and new ways of looking at the ‘Great War’.

Our redesigned atrium will stretch over six floors. We will display the most iconic and unusual of our objects in this dramatic space to explore aspects of war from the First World War through to the present day.

We are also opening new shops and a brand new café, which will open directly onto Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park.

We need you!

The transformation of IWM London for 2014 is an ambitious plan and we need to raise a total of £35 million. We have already raised £20 million but your support will help us reach our goal and tell more of the important and, as yet, unheard stories in our new First World War Galleries.

To donate, text FWWG followed by a pound sign and the amount to 70070. For example, if you’d like to donate £10 just text FWWG£10."

Thx,

Jim

 

[4th Hussar]

Did not intend to mislead anyone on the War Museum. My wife suggested a visit to London and I checked the IWM to see what kind of exhibit they might be having only to find much of the Museum would be closed for the remodel. Convinced her to rethink the trip to London.

In this economy, no landlord is throwing out established tenants, so I'm betting the overhead was crushing them. I'm doing the same thing, except I don't have an internet presence upon which to fall back. I remember my first visit to Tradition, when I was 14 years old. I was mesmerized, and my parents let me pick out a few sets, and I spent the bulk of my allowance savings that day. Even though Steve shipped them back for us as if I'd mail ordered them, there was still something special about shopping for them live. Ever since, I've tried to visit the shop whenever my London trips would allow. There will definitely be a large hole to fill on my next trip to London. (And what is this about the Imperial War Museum being closed?)

Dave

 

[REDCAP1959]

I have been lucky enough to visit their shop a real alladains cave. I dont like this shift towards on line shopping but thats the way of the world at the moment. Always visit the Guards shop when im in London there is nothing like been actually able to see what your are buying. Go to the toy soldier show in London at least once a year and I love browsing through all the different products on offer