Childhood memories of Figgures toy shop inspire Jane to open store

CHILDHOOD memories of standing in her family’s toy shop full of excitement at all the wondrous things on display has led Jane Scott to open her own store.

She is part of the Figgures dynasty which established four stores in Lymington including the famous toy shop plus cycle, electrical and children’s clothing outlets.

But instead of joining the firm founded by her great-grandfather, Jane (53) has spent most of her life in the financial world working as an office administrator for a financial training company.

She said: “It was a desk-bound job and I enjoyed it for a long time. But working in a shop had always been something I wanted to do and during a conversation over a bottle of wine with a friend the idea to actually open my own one was born.

“So I resigned, found a suitable store and set about achieving my dream.”

Jane has taken over what used to be The Treasure House in Southbourne Grove which sold everything from ribbon, tea towels, doilies and wool.

She is currently in the midst of completely gutting the shop to modernise it before launching it as Haberdasherdo on Saturday 14th September.

The shop will stock everything dressmakers, knitters and crafters could need from fabrics, and buttons to wool and ribbons.

Jane, who makes most of her own clothes, said: “Making something yourself gives you such a huge sense of achievement.

“When someone compliments me on something I am wearing and asks me where I go it they are so surprised when I tell them I made it myself.

“So few people make their own clothes these days but it is so satisfying and you end up with something totally unique.”

Jane also credits TV shows like The Great British Sewing Bee with prompting a resurgence in hobby dressmaking, saying: “My big sisters taught me when I was about 10 how to make clothes and it’s something I’ve always done.

“Until recently it was a bit of a dying art but thanks to Sewing Bee and other similar programmes it seems to be coming back which is wonderful. I’ve already had so much interest in the shop, people pop their head in when the door is open and when they find out what it is going to be they are really pleased.”

Jane is planning to offer dressmaking, knitting and crocheting lessons in a workshop at the store. Like Figgures, The Treasure House has a long history.

Jane said: “It’s been a shop since 1932 and the lady I took it over from, Angela Hill, has run it since 2005. It’s always been a feature of the high street and people are delighted it is still going to be here – but with a new look and new name.”

She says her family are proud that she is becoming a shop owner, explaining: “I think it has always been in the blood really. I can remember going into the Figgures toy shop and seeing all the wonderful things on display.

“It was like an Aladdin’s cave in those days with shelves from floor to ceiling just full of fantastic toys. It was just crammed with delights. I can even remember the smell of the shop.

“I have such fond memories of going into the shop after school. We were never allowed freebies but we were allowed to spend our pocket money on toys from there.”