Toy and Hobby
Still from a TV commercial, 1983.
Pluto was the brand typeface of Toy and Hobby, a chain of toy stores that operated in North West England in the 1980s. From East of the M60:
Back in 1980, only St. Helens, Chester and Stockport had branches. By 1985, there was branches in Oldham (at slightly below street level of Town Square Shopping Centre), Wigan, and Birkenhead.
Till the late 1980s, their child friendly layout and high shelves made for an experience unlike other toy shops at the time. Another aspect was its lime green Polyflor Noppe studded floor tiles – similar to those used by Greater Manchester PTE for its bus stations from 1980 to 1991.
By the late 1980s, Toy and Hobby abandoned its iconic yellow and red blocked logo in favour of a serif typeface. In spite of some market repositioning, it lost out to its American rivals Toys’R’Us. The spirit of Toy and Hobby presumably lives on in Smyths Toys and in any of The Entertainer’s stores.
“Supersavers”. Still from a TV commercial, 1983.
Still from a TV commercial, 1983.
Plastic bag.
