Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2011 | Page 141

island business

Island Life - April/May 2011

Masters for Island toys and
all sports equipment
Over the years The Sports Shop and

As well as selling a wide range

shop out himself and this became The

Toymaster have become popular outlets

of sports equipment, clothing and

Sports & Model Shop - now renamed

for Islanders and visitors alike.

footwear the business also diversified

The Sports Shop & Toymaster. The

into toys, games and hobbies. In the

toys, games and hobbies section of the

Shop was originally started by Geoff

early 1970s Geoff and Elsie retired and

business had always been very popular

and Elsie Young in 1935 from their

their son Nigel took over the running

so Nigel and Janet decided it would be

home in Lower Hyde, Shanklin. They

of the business with his wife Janet,

a good idea to open a shop purely for

had tennis courts, a pitch & putt course

and remains the current owner. Geoff’s

the sale of these items in Sandown. So

and a table tennis room.

secretary, Mrs Pauline Brook, who

in November 1990 they acquired 103

joined the business in 1965, continued

High Street, Sandown and called it Toys

operating a re-stringing service until

to work for Nigel and is still there over

& Games - now known as Toymaster.

1955, when they purchased a house

45 years later!

The business that became The Sports

They then began selling racquets and

in Regent Street, which was converted
into The Sports Shop.

As the business was so successful

Toymaster is a buying group that
Nigel and Janet became members of, it

Nigel and Janet decided to open

enables goods to be purchased in bulk

another branch in Ryde. In July 1984

through the group at competitive prices

houses came up for sale and were

premises in Union Street came up

so that the shops can compete with

purchased by Geoff and Elsie to create

for sale, and it provided the ideal

the retail giants. Although there are

the business that continues to flourish

opportunity to expand.

shops all over the country sporting the

Over the years the two adjoining

to this day.
Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com

Nigel took great pride in fitting the

Toymaster name, they are all privately
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