The Harper family business has been an institution in the centre of Penrith for over half a century, initially launching as a bicycle shop in 1969, before developing into a dedicated toy store, serving the region’s kids with all manner of fun and educational things to do.
As a young man, Stuart Harper launched his bicycle firm in 1969, on Castlegate, after completing his apprenticeship with Milburn Cycles in Penrith.
Building the business up along with wife Patricia, with bicycle sales, bicycle hire, cycle repairs and accessories, prams, motorbikes, even MOTs for motorbikes, the operation eventually shifted full gear into toy sales — moving to their current premises in 1976 in Middlegate, where Harper’s Toymaster Penrith can be found serving families today.
The move into toy sales only began when children found themselves in the store, and proprietor Stuart wanted to offer them something fun to do.
Stuart’s son Alistair explains: “Even in the early days when children came in, my dad wanted to be able to offer them something. So he started selling Matchbox cars.”
Throughout the seventies the toy sales stepped up, and by 1976 when the new shop opened, the toys had become a major thing. The toy shop really took off as a partnership developed with toy supplier Toymaster, the independent Harper’s store incorporating the Toymaster branding. As the toys became more and more the staple of the store, the bikes were phased out.
Alistair says qualities that have helped keep the business prosperous for 55 years include adapting to change, keeping up-to-date with the changing trends in toys, as well as good old fashioned customer service and physical hard work.
“Hard work, perseverance, basically being open. My dad worked seven days a week. It is that sticking power. It is about not giving up.
“You have to have a mix of products, catering for different age groups. You have to keep up with the changes in the toy market. Now boys are on screens, and girls like collectables.
“They are not necessarily coming in to buy a yo-yo or hula hoop or a bat and a ball. You have to keep on top of trends. We have stocked for generations. We have grandparents who have been coming in, and they are now coming in with their children’s children.”
Fifty-five years in business for Stuart and Patricia is a major achievement, says Alistair.
“I am very proud of them, what they have achieved. I think all our family are very proud.”
The Harper business has been very much a multi-generational affair. Whilst branching out into different careers along the way, as well as Alistair, his brother Nigel and his two sisters Julia and Adele have all been involved in the business, as well as in the early days, Stuart’s mum and dad, Thomas and Nellie.
