Ex-NUFC player to help relaunch store
A YEAR ago, a young Newcastle United supporter turned his hobby into a business – but the Covid pandemic resulted in a year of struggle.
Now James Whinham, 18, is preparing to reopen his football memorabilia shop in North Shields – with the help of former Toon player Ron McGarry.
James, from Wallsend, who has been an NUFC fan all his life and enjoys collecting footballrelated memorabilia, started his business – Stadium Collectables – on Saville Street in February last year. Among the items in his stock were numerous programmes, signed shirts and footballs as well as signed autobiographies of stars such as Alan Shearer, David Ginola, Kevin Keegan, Gazza and Geoff Hurst.
The items covered Newcastle United as well as other teams like Manchester City and Leicester. When the coronavirus pandemic broke out and the country
went into lockdown, the store was forced to close.
It was able to reopen in the summer but had to shut again during the two later lockdowns.
“This past year has been quite tough,” said James. “I have had to remain closed during the lockdowns but I still had to pay all the bills. I got a grant from the council and I’ve been getting by. I’ve been trying to keep it going and build up stocks, getting ready for when we can open up again.”
Under Boris Johnson’s ‘roadmap,’ non-essential shops will be allowed to welcome customers once again from Monday.
Stadium Collectables plans to reopen then, but ex-NUFC player Ron McGarry will help to officially relaunch the store on Saturday, April 17.
The football star will be at the shop on April 17 between midday and 1pm, and will be meeting fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures.
Ron, who wore the famous No 9 shirt, played for Newcastle United from 1963 to 1967, in which time he scored 46 goals in 132 appearances.
“Ron was a great player,” said James. “And I’m really pleased and excited he is coming to relaunch the shop.”
From Monday, non-essential shops, hairdressers and beer gardens are all set to welcome customers again, in line with Prime Minister Mr Johnson’s second step out of lockdown.
The majority of outdoor settings and attractions can also reopen.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference on Easter Monday, the Prime Minister confirmed that the next stage of ending the lockdown will go ahead. He added: “I can today confirm that from April 12 we will move to step two of our roadmap, reopening shops, gyms, zoos, holiday campsites, personal care services like hairdressing salons and, of course, beer gardens and outdoor hospitality of all kinds.
“And I will be going to the pub myself and cautiously but irreversibly raising a pint of beer to my lips.”