Lego has stores all over the country, but could York be its next stop?
There are 22 Lego shops in England, with the closest location to York currently in Leeds.
The great Minifigs & Bricks on Wigginton Road is hugely popular – however it’s not an official store.
A 15 year old girl called Esther from York, felt there was a Lego brick-sized gap in the city, so decided to take matters into her own hands.
She reached out to Phil Pinder, chair of York High Street Forum, asking: “I was wondering whether anybody in York has attempted to encourage Lego to open a shop in the city centre?”
Esther explained her reasoning behind the idea. “I think a shop like this would greatly improve York as children and adults would have a better range of shops.”
She added: “There are empty buildings which would be perfect for a LEGO shop.”
Phil Pinder published the email he received onto LinkedIn, inviting ‘Yorkies’ to voice their opinions on the matter.
Many agreed with Esther. One said: “Imagine some York themed models in the window –Roman’s, Vikings, replicas of the walls and the Minster, maybe of the Shambles!”
Although the post was met with mostly positive responses, one comment read: “We had a good toy shop in the centre of York around five years ago that stocked Lego and all the new launches, also stocked leading toy brands.
“Unfortunately they had to close due to high rates and rents and lack of customer support.”
‘Perfect space’
Phil told YorkMix: “I think Esther speaks for a lot of young people and many adults in York in wanting to see Lego come to York.
“I think the Coney Street improvements will create the perfect space for a future Lego store.
“Let’s hope we’ve made the case and it’s given some serious consideration with York’s incredible unique footfall creating a very healthy economy for such opportunities to thrive in our city. We just need to make the case and prove it!”
YorkMix also spoke to David Kirkham, the owner of Minifigs & Bricks, one of the shops currently supplying Lego in York.
He said: “We wouldn’t have a problem with it at all, it wouldn’t make much difference to us!”
Minifigs & Bricks is less based on newer additions, and more on collectables: “Our focus is for collectors and enthusiasts, we deal with stuff from the Seventies all the way through to current.
“We’re trying to be for collectors of any age to come and get what they want.”
With 9 million tourists coming to York each year, and an obvious interest from the locals, are you in favour of a Lego shop opening in York?
Or is there another shop you’d like to see here? Let us know on info@yorkmix.com!