Brooks Collectables toy museum - video report

Say Blackpool to any British holidaymaker and it immediately conjures up images of donkey rides, amusement arcades, sticks of rock, sandcastles and illuminations. However after a recent visit to the resort, we’re now inclined to associate it with Dinky, Corgi, model railways, toy soldiers and other vintage toys. The reason for this change in opinion comes after our visit to Brooks Collectables and its accompanying museum, which was packed with a huge selection of mint and unboxed pieces.

Brooks has a long tradition in Blackpool and is actually celebrating its 65th year this Easter. It was originally opened in 1949 by Mr Brooks, after he had all his possessions and home destroyed during World War II.

Being a seaside store, Brooks sold a mixture of gifts (buckets and spades, kiss me quick hats) but through the 1960s it also began to stock high-end collectables, like Dinky and Corgi diecast. As the years progressed, Brooks passed through the family and a number of different locations opened and closed, including one at the base of Blackpool’s famous tower.

Recently we met up with Mark Yates, who currently runs Brooks and the museum, to find out more about the history of the shop. You can read all about it in the next issue of Collectors Gazette but, in the meantime, take a look at the video below to see some of the great collectables on display in the seaside attraction.




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