It is with a mix of sadness and nostalgia that we announce the imminent closure of R Lowndes, a historic toy shop that has been a centrepiece on Lumley Road in Skegness for the past 105 years. The treasured family-run business, a constant source of delight for multiple generations of Lincolnshire residents since 1920, is finally shutting its doors. Its current custodian, Anne Roberjot-Roberts, who has presided over the iconic toy shop for more than four decades, has deemed it’s the right moment for her to enter retirement, particularly as she seeks to embrace a slower pace of life in her later years.
While interacting with BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Ms Roberjot-Roberts spoke fondly of poignant memories, recalling the joyous sight of children pressing their faces against the glass windows to get a closer look at the coveted toys. Describing the shop’s distinct old-world charm, she said, “We offer something utterly unique, reminiscent of a time gone by, which continues to be cherished by many.”
Roland Lowndes, Anne’s forebear, established R Lowndes, making it a mainstay in Skegness. The store’s resilience through the years is underlined by incidents such as surviving a bomb explosion during World War Two, which threw Roland across the shop. Anne warmly reminisces about her grandmother’s artistically done up shop windows and her grandfather’s enterprising spirit.
Local regulars, Patricia and Alan Ingle among others, wear their love for the shop on their sleeves, testifying to its cherished position in the community. Personal anecdotes tied to the shop and family photographs cement its importance. John Molson, another patron, eloquently sums up the sentiment by stating that the shop’s closure signals “the end of an era.”
R Lowndes will close its doors for the last time on 18 December, signalling the conclusion of its awe-inspiring 105-year journey in Skegness. The Lincoln Post has adapted this story based on original reporting available at bbc.com.
