Memorial plaque to be unveiled on site of legendary Sheffield toy store Redgates

The building which housed the store on the corner of Furnival Gate and The Moor and is remembered by generations of Sheffielders, has been redeveloped as an H&M store as part of the ongoing refurbishment of the area.

But its memory will now live on when a plaque commemorating the store is unveiled next month.

The memorial is the brainchild of Maggie Nunn, who worked at the store with her former husband John and who wrote to the developers calling for its past to be recognised.

Last year, developers Aberdeen Standard Investments confirmed it would install the plaque once work was complete.

And now a date has been fixed, with the tribute set to be unveiled on February 25.

Dubbed as the finest toy shop outside London, Redgates closed its doors for the final time 30 years ago and the building was demolished in 2018.

She said: “It really is appreciated, not only for the family who founded the toy shop in 1857 but also for the people of the city of Sheffield who have such memories of the iconic Redgates which brought joy to so many children.

The huge store, across several floors, was a haven of brightly coloured stacks of Lego, dolls’ houses, Subbuteo, Meccano, bikes, outfits, Matchbox cars, railway sets, wooden horses and board games.

And staff would be encouraged to play with toys in the store – especially in the run-up to Christmas each year when it would come into its own.

Ms Nunn added: "Kids could go in and touch and play with toys without the need to buy them. I am doing this for my former husband but also for the people of Sheffield.

The shop was founded on Fargate by Edwin Redgate in 1857, later moving to The Moor and then Furnival Gate.

The unveiling of the plaque will take place from 10.30am at the site in Furnival Gate.