The Hobby Post, a new shop in Southport, has been 'nuts' since opening, according to its owner Grace Thompson. The store, located on Post Office Avenue next to the Bijou Cinema, is Thompson's first business venture in her hometown.
The retail and community space spans three floors and opened less than two months ago. It is already 'filled with regulars', Thompson said. The 25-year-old was inspired to open the shop after a conversation with her brother made her realise there was a 'real need' for a dedicated hobby space in the seaside town.
What's inside
Inside, customers can find everything from Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons to paints, miniatures, yarn, fabric and other craft supplies. There is also a selection of fantasy literature, including works by J.R.R. Tolkien, Sarah J. Maas, David Gemmell and Brandon Sanderson.
Speaking to the ECHO, Thompson said: "It's been extremely positive. We've been really busy. Our goal was to create a community of people who are interested in different hobbies."
She added: "We've got loads of regulars now, and we seem to have created a really good space that people feel comfortable in, which I'm happy about because that was our goal. It's actually been nuts."
Attracting newcomers
Thompson said the shop has also attracted people new to the area who are looking to meet others with similar interests. She noted: "We've had a lot of people who are new to the area who come in and say that they want to make friends who do the same hobbies as them and that they feel like it's a space they can come to for that."
She expressed her delight at the positive reception, saying: "I just think the fact that it's been so overwhelmingly positive is really a nice feeling. I just felt we really needed somewhere like this in Southport."
Filling a void
Thompson recently graduated from King's College London with a degree in English and Film Studies, having commuted to London during her final year while living back home in Southport. She now hopes The Hobby Post will fill the void left by Hobbycraft, which closed in Southport in August 2025 after being open for less than two years.
She explained: "My brother and I were just talking about the fact that there wasn't really a space for it. There's never a right time. Obviously, I was finishing university and doing my dissertation, while we were trying to open the shop, but we just knew that it felt right at the time."
Plans for the future
The business is designed to cater for both experienced hobbyists and complete beginners. Thompson plans to continue running tournaments and other events, while also introducing beginner sessions for those who might feel intimidated about getting started.
She also hopes the shop can help tackle the financial barrier that can come with taking up a new hobby. A dedicated painting room is expected to open over the next couple of months, giving customers access to paints and other materials as part of the room rental.
Thompson said this would allow people to try different hobbies before committing to buying a large collection of equipment. She added: "If you walk in and you want to either start a hobby or you're already quite invested in one, then you'll be able to find something. If you want to sit and crochet, for example, you can just get a coffee and sit in and crochet."
