Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Past Times - the shop

123 replies

chillipenguin · 27/08/2022 21:54

Anyone else used to love the Past Times shop? I miss it. It was like a museum but you could buy everything as it was just fake old stuff. I loved it as a child.

OP posts:
Dfg15 · 27/08/2022 23:09

Yes! Loved this shop, and The Pier

starfishmummy · 27/08/2022 23:13

I used to look through the catalogue and want probably 75% of the stuff, but only bought(and still have) still have a few bits from there. Much of it bought in sales so not quite so overpriced!

ballsdeep · 27/08/2022 23:16

kittenkipping · 27/08/2022 22:05

I bought the vast majority of my bric a brak when they closed the Cardiff branch. My vases, photo frames, Jewellery box, stationary (including an unnecessary but beautiful quill and leather journal) and much jewellery . It was a beautiful shop. Somewhat steampunk at times. A gap in the market of you ask me

I used to love the Cardiff one. I went to St David’s hall for carols every Christmas with my Nan and visited there ❤️

PriamFarrl · 27/08/2022 23:18

I still have a Victorian nightie from there. I don’t wear it often as it sets DH all aquiver.

ChagSameachDoreen · 27/08/2022 23:19

I still listen to the three "Sophistication" CDs with the Art Deco lady on the cover!

I always used to lust after the silver "gimmel" ring with two hands that pulled apart to reveal a heart.

crispinglovershighkick · 27/08/2022 23:25

I loved Past Times, bought repro posy rings there for a wedding that never happened, sold for scrap recently.
Dh and I often reminisce about Nice Irma's in (I think) Goodge Street. Loads of Christmas ornaments from there.

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 27/08/2022 23:26

OK to look at but very expensive. Never bought anything from there.

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 27/08/2022 23:27

PriamFarrl · 27/08/2022 23:18

I still have a Victorian nightie from there. I don’t wear it often as it sets DH all aquiver.

😂 Brilliant! Grin

Surtsey · 27/08/2022 23:31

I have found my people - I loved that shop.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 27/08/2022 23:31

My engagement ring was from there. Metro Centre branch. Silver ring with Celtic engraving.

Trinity65 · 27/08/2022 23:34

chillipenguin · 27/08/2022 21:54

Anyone else used to love the Past Times shop? I miss it. It was like a museum but you could buy everything as it was just fake old stuff. I loved it as a child.

I miss it too OP
It was a lovely shop

EmmaH2022 · 27/08/2022 23:35

CaptainCallisto · 27/08/2022 22:17

Past Times is very special to me. DH was the manager of one of their shops and we met when I took a Christmas temp job there doing my MA. Our first house together was full of vases, rugs, picture frames, mirrors, coasters, mugs, cushions; you name it, we had it! We've still got most of it (the cat broke my favourite mirror trying to catch a month 😭) and I've got absolutely tonnes of the jewellery. I miss that shop so much! They were a great company to work for too - I know DH would go back to them like a shot!

Wow! I used to love the catalogue but never bought anything.

can I come round? 😂

LoversLane · 27/08/2022 23:36

Nostalgic thread! I loved The Pier and Past Times. We still have so many items from both these shops at home. My mum bought 1-2 new ornaments for the tree every Christmas. The first Christmas she wasn't with us anymore I remember telling my dad that I was going to continue the tradition. The honour went to three lovely coloured blown glass sweets on gold ribbon from the Past Times Victorian collection. They are very precious to me.

crazycourgette · 27/08/2022 23:36

Loved Past Times too, my mum has a few jewellery pieces from there. I remember the metro centre branch - and also Collectables, another golden oldie!

Trinity65 · 27/08/2022 23:37

CaptainCallisto · 27/08/2022 22:17

Past Times is very special to me. DH was the manager of one of their shops and we met when I took a Christmas temp job there doing my MA. Our first house together was full of vases, rugs, picture frames, mirrors, coasters, mugs, cushions; you name it, we had it! We've still got most of it (the cat broke my favourite mirror trying to catch a month 😭) and I've got absolutely tonnes of the jewellery. I miss that shop so much! They were a great company to work for too - I know DH would go back to them like a shot!

Awww
That's lovely
😍

BeethovenNinth · 27/08/2022 23:39

I also loved it. Gorgeous and reasonable quality Art Deco. I have a jewellery box from there.

BeethovenNinth · 27/08/2022 23:39

Lovely story captain!

RedRec · 27/08/2022 23:44

I bought a beautiful (and huge) dresser from Past Times. Still absolutely love it.

FlosCampi · 27/08/2022 23:52

Their merchandise felt well- made and on the right side of that fine line with tacky reproduction stuff. It was great for presents for men as well as womem! I also liked the nighties, jewellery etc.

Pillowbed · 27/08/2022 23:55

Past Times was set up by the person who set up Early Learning Centre.

RoseMartha · 27/08/2022 23:55

Yes I liked that shop

SamBeckettslastleap · 27/08/2022 23:57

I'm not one for possessions but two things that I still own and display are from Past Times. The mirror especially is my favourite, I have had it about 20 years and people still comment on it. Agree that it all seemed better quality.

SammyScrounge · 27/08/2022 23:57

I still have a cardigan my children bought for me. It is pure wool and has bands of colour across it, the blue one is the Nile with palm trees, the cream band has Egyptian heiroglyphs in black. I've worn it and worn but the quality is very high. I love it.

Talisin · 28/08/2022 00:06

Oh wow, what a great trip down memory lane this thread has been. I loved Past Times and have a drawer full of jewellery from there - largely celtic with occasional forays into Viking runes and renaissance crosses! Quite a few CDs as well. Always stopped off at the one in the Whitgift Centre whenever I was in Croydon - still remember how excited I was to find the shop in ‘real life’ when it had been only a catalogue company at first. Oh and I have two gorgeous gold Christmas tree decorations from them which come out every year, an angel chime and a tree chime, so pretty.

SunshineLoving · 28/08/2022 00:11

Yes, I loved it! As pps have mentioned, they did nice jewellery and very good for presents.