A message from the Hobby Shop in Elm Park.

The Hobby Shop in Elm Park will be closing its doors for the final time on Saturday 29th August 2020 after 63 years in business.

The family run business is the oldest store in Elm Park, providing the community with all their DIY needs, essentials and advice from the day it opened.

Originally opening in 1957, The Hobby Shop was the hub of Elm Park. Ron Sampson began his working life as a Saturday boy before working his way up to Store Manager in 1962. By 1982 Ron had purchased the store from the original owners Mr and Mrs Tring, and this began the Sampson family business.

Before long Ron’s youngest son Martin, began helping out in the shop, learning the ropes and expanding the services offered. By 1990, Martin had taken the reins and has now been the owner for the past 30 years.

It is sad to say that these independent family stores are hard to find these days and unfortunately The Hobby shop is another one lost to the huge chain stores on the High Street.

Although this is the end of an era, we would like to celebrate the store and thank the community that has supported us throughout the years, so please whether you are a regular customer or just a passer-by, stop and pop in on Saturday 29th August to say goodbye for one final time.

As one of the local Ward Councillor for Elm Park and a resident for over 10 years back in the seventies I am very sad to hear that the Hobby shop is closing. They were always very helpful to me when I needed their help and guidance. The Hobby Shop will be missed by all us all.