Past Times was a United Kingdom high street retailer, specialising in gifts and retro style goods. It was established as a mail order company in 1986 by John Beale,[1] who was also the developer of the Early Learning Centre.[2] In June 1987, the company opened the first branch in Oxford.

Past Times
Company typePublic company
IndustryRetail
Founded1987
FounderJohn Beale Edit this on Wikidata
Defunct2012
SuccessorWHSmith

The firm went into administration in January 2012[3] and in March 2013 the brand name was bought by WHSmith.[4] Past Times' website was taken down following the purchase.[5]

References

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  1. ^ John Richard Beale, 1944–2024.
  2. ^ "WHSmith's acquisition of Past Times: What do retailers need to know?". Retail Week. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.(subscription required)
  3. ^ "Past Times goes into administration". BBC News. 16 January 2012.
  4. ^ Cooper, Rachel (11 April 2013). "WH Smith buys Past Times brand". The Daily Telegraph.
  5. ^ Rigby, Chloe (12 April 2013). "Past Times website taken down as WH Smith buys the brand". InternetRetailing. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
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