Meet the Orford middle-aged big kid selling toys from your childhood

Starting as an online hobby 12 years ago, Manic Minors Toystore in Orford has just bagged our latest Best of 2024 award – Warrington’s Best Independent Shop or Business 2024 – and Kevin couldn’t be happier.

In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition and we’ve given out 10 awards.

Best for Hair - Kate Lucy Hair Studio

Best for Pies - Tomlins Bakehouse

Best for Nails - By Maisie Beck

Best for Roast Dinner - The Blue Bell

Best for Cocktails - Dead Eyes

Best for Breakfast - The Blue Bell

Best for Fish and Chips - Plaice Station

Best Beer Garden - The Ferry Tavern

Best for Fitness – Tommy O’Connor

Best for Tattoos – Sam Small Ink

Voting for Warrington’s Best Independent Shop or Business is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best for Dessert.

Vote for Warrington’s Best for Desserts 2024

Nominate your favourite for Warrington’s Best for Kids 2024

Twelve top independent businesses and shops in Warrington made the shortlist for the latest Best of 2024 award and Manic Minors has taken this year’s coveted crown.

Owner Kevin Fleming

Kevin Fleming launched Manic Minors Toystore as an online hobby in 2012 and went full time in 2020 just a month before the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

It’s above the launderette on Orford Lane and Kevin is a proud Orford boy having moved to Warrington when he was five and an avid supporter of Warrington Wolves.

Kevin, who is 46, said: “It was tough starting out and opening the shop at the beginning of 2020 but I was determined to make it work.

“The store evolved from a storage tub to a storage lockup.

“Then, as the business grew, we had to look for a building that we could expand into and invite our customers.

“Now it’s full to the rafters with vintage toys!

“We’ve built a multi-generational toy shop, specialising in action figures, pop-culture collectables and retro console gaming.

“We hunt down items from the 1970s to the present day from all around the country.

“Surveys have shown that 40 per cent of toys are now sold to adults - sometimes referred to as kidults.

“The shop has become a relaxed community space for geeks of all ages to buy, sell or swap toys and connect with fellow collectors.

“It’s humbling that people travel for hours to come and see us for that special toy they’ve been looking for.”

Kevin opened the toy shop about the launderette on Orford Lane at the beginning of 2020

It was a lifelong dream for Kevin to open a toy shop having lived, slept and breathed toys from being small.

He said: “If you’re a sports fan you can go and see your team play but if you’re a Star Wars fan you can’t go to another planet!

“The best thing you can do to feed your longing is to appreciate a sculpt of your favourite character, radiate in its coolness and let it feed your imagination.

“I grew up in the hospitality trade finishing as a catering teacher at Thorn Cross in Appleton.

“This gave me the love of not knowing what each day will bring.

“One day you’re crouched in a loft gasping over a rare toy and the next day you’re helping a bereaved family sort through the possessions of a loved one.

“I could run the business online from home and have a lot of free time but lockdown taught me that all we have is each other and I felt I needed deep human connection in my life.

“I work six days a week reaching out to fellow collectors and we’ve built a great network with lifelong friendships from it.”

But what do customers think of Manic Minors? Why did they want the toy shop to win our latest Best of 2024 award?

Happy customers say this is a great store with a good selection of retro and modern toys and games.

One said: “Toy shops in local towns are few and far between and should be protected at all costs.”

Customers love browsing the shelves looking for toys

Kevin said: “We are different to other toy shops as our customers can also be our suppliers.

“I can’t pick up a phone and re-order vintage or discontinued toys as they have to be hunted down.

“We’ve earned a strong reputation of being fair and helped so many people during the cost-of-living crisis.

“This July alone we’ve helped a car pass its MOT, furnished a newborn’s bedroom and put a bond down on a flat for locals.

“As a lifelong toy collector and being from Warrington, I’m a savvy shopper so in my toystore I provide what I would like to see if I was a customer.

“We track price trends daily and I make every effort to look after people who take time to shop here regularly.

“My favourite part of the job is when new customers walk in, make minimal eye contact and give you a tight-lipped smile.

“Once they see the toys from their youth, you see a physical change in them and they open up their about that special toy they had as a child or they share a family memory.

“They always leave happier and it’s the best feeling.”

Manic Minors is full of nostalgic toys from yesteryear

When Kevin read that Manic Minors had made the shortlist for Warrington’s Best Independent Shop or Business 2024 he was humbled reading all the messages of support in the nominations.

He admits to being blown away when he heard that the business had topped the votes this week.

Kevin said: “It knocked me off my feet and I had to sit down to take it in!

“I’d like to thank my friends and family who have helped build the shop from its roots and start up budget of £50.

“I can’t thank people enough for their votes.

“Thank you for making a middle-aged big kid part of the fabric of this town.”