Latest News:
29th January 2026
What a great time to visit Margate and most of all, Northdown Road, loved by Time Out, voting us 31st coolest street in the world ! Come and see us at 268a. Now also it seems Margate is one of Madonna’s favourite places too. We love it and we love being here.
Madonna compares Margate to ‘heaven’ in fan post to Tracey Emin – BBC News
Time Out names Cliftonville street among ‘world’s coolest’ – BBC News
12th January 2026
First of all can we wish all our customers, family and friends, a belated Happy New Year. Our Winter Sale in now on, check out the Sale category in the online shop or of course instore, new things will be added to it now and again. We have to make space for new lines coming soon.
Also during January and possibly February, we shall be closing slightly earlier than normal on weekdays at 4pm.
Did you see in Time Out that our road was voted 31st coolest street in the world!!! come and see for yourselves.
There are currently Roadworks in Northdown Road and these are due to last a couple of Months, closing the road. This doesn’t effect our end of the Road and is actually making it a lot easier to park near us, so don’t be put off by the all the Road Closed Ahead signs. Hope to see more of you in 2026 and thank you for all those online orders too.
14th December 2025
It’s been a while since we added anything here, just been too busy, so many new items have arrived and we’ve just been preparing for the Christmas rush! So with that in mind, Royal Mail are recommending Friday 19th as last postal day for delivery in time for Christmas, so if you were thinking of placing an order, please do so on or before Thursday the 18th. We look forward to receiving them!
Here are our Christmas opening times at the shop.
Thank you all for your custom this year and we hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…
Regards
Jo & Richard
4th October 2025
I can’t believe we are now well into Autumn, where did the summer go? Can not believe i haven’t posted on here since July, my only excuse is that we have just been too busy. So many new lines now in stock. Orders arriving ang going out, the mail order is going from strength to strength and we are now preparing for our busiest period, always a good idea to your orders in as soon as possible.
One other thing, what a great day we had at Oh So Retro here in Margate, the pictures show how many show cars, bikes & scooters were in attendance, over 1700, the car park opposite had a 100’s and 100’s more. you can just about make out our big blue tent at the top of the field. Well done to all at Oh So Retro.
10th July 2025
8th July 2025
A Party you say..
11th June 2025
Just a quick reminder. We shall also be closed Saturday the 14th of June , the day before Fathers day (important wedding to attend) , so we shall be open on Sunday 15th, 10.30-1pm in case you need a last minute gift. Also check out our New In category, as so many new things arrived recently, enjoy the warmer weather.
22nd May 2025
Just a quick heads up for some slightly different opening times, happening in the next couple of weeks. Starting this bank holiday weekend, we are closing slightly earlier than normal on the Saturday 2.45pm instead of 4pm, as I’m dj’ing at our friends The Capellas album launch party in Margate old town. All part of the Great British Music Culture Mod & sixties festival weekend. As an extra though, we shall be open Sunday & Bank holiday Monday 11-2pm.
Thurs 29th & Fri 3oth May we are closing early at 2pm.
We shall also be closed Saturday the 14th of June , the day before Fathers day (important wedding to attend) , so we shall be open on Sunday 15th, 10.30-1pm in case you need a last minute gift.
Hope you get to enjoy the bank holiday weekend as much as we are going too.
12th April 2025
It’s been very busy in the shop lately, so many deliveries and new things in stock. A record number of online orders and even in the cold weather, lots of customers in the shop too. So somewhat glad to have a few extra hours off over the Easter weekend. So these will be the opening times at the shop.
Easter Opening
Good Friday..10am-3pm
Saturday….10am-3.30pm
Sunday…….closed
Bank holiday Monday…….closed
Naturally the online shop will be open 24/7 365 days a year and orders will go out Tuesday. Happy Easter !!
31st March 2025
Can’t believe we are now into spring and I’m posting the first latest news of 2025!!! Where did the time go? Anyway it has been a brilliant start to the year, we have so many new products, hundreds in fact, new suppliers too. To many to list here, so please check out the online shop and have a look through. We’ll be adding a “New In” category soon, so it will be quick to see latest arrivals, even more coming in April.
We’ve also had some new shelving and cabinets arrive, and a little shop re-jig, so more room and easier to see stuff, so all good and hope to see you soon, enjoy the Spring.
31st December 2024
18th December 2024
Wow, it’s been somewhat manic here, so many parcels gone out & welcoming customers into the shop too, thank you for your orders and business so far. Now with just seven days to go to the big day and chance to relax, We’ve got this little message.
3rd December 2024
To say we have been somewhat busy the last few months, would an understatement to say the least. Hence no News updates for a while. Hundreds of new lines in hope you check them out.
Closing times for the festive period
12th September 2024
16th August 2024.
1st August 2024.
Summer is truly here, it’s been scorching in Sunny Margate and we’ve been busy, busy, busy. So many new lines, 100’s in fact. New metal signs, wall art, homeware and more. The new shop is looking good and just how we wanted it. (don’t just take our word for it, come and see). So much great feedback from all the new customers. Now to crack on finding homes for the latest delivery. Here’s a few pics.
5th June 2024
Summer is here !!! ok the weather says otherwise but ho hum!
14th May 2024
To say we have been busy is a slight understatement. We have moved!!! to our own shop, now open, it’s bigger, a lot bigger and on a really bustling, busy part of town. We have added hundreds and i mean hundreds, of new, and i hope, interesting, new lines. Of course all of them, we feel have a nod to the past, in looks or design. From funky alarm clocks, wall clocks, rubber ducks, plant pots, record boxes, lamps and cool lighting. Not forgetting so much more of the things we’ve always done. Metal signs, mugs and cast iron figures and plaques. Come visit or of course check out the online shop here.
1st March 2024
Phew time flies when your busy! Lots of orders going out , thank you for those that have used the online shop here. So many new lines have arrived, over 50 so far, so please check them out here, or of course, in our actual High St. store. Even more arriving soon, exciting times ahead.
11th Jan. 2024
Hi everyone , we are taking a couple of days off for rest and recuperation, after a couple of very busy months. Although we won’t be there in the shop in person, it will as normal be open. Any messages or orders received will be answered or go out Monday 15th Jan. from now on.
Can i just also say, what a fab year last year was, this year is looking great already, lots of new things in the pipeline, including our new project Van. watch this space. Cheers and if i haven’t said it already, Happy New Year !
14th Dec. 2023
With only a few days left before the end of Royal Mail’s guaranteed delivery for Christmas (Mon. 18th), just a quick reminder to get those last minute orders in.
It’s the busiest we’ve ever known it in store and we’ve been working as many hours as possible, late into the evening most days this last couple of weeks, not only with the parcels going out but we’ve had some lovely new deliveries in too. Over thirty new Cast iron signs, plaques, figures and ornaments have just arrived, some of which are selling through already, which is great.
So as we get nearer to the time, can we just say ……..
21st Nov. 2023
With just over a month to go to festive fun, present giving and receiving, merriment and joy, just a little reminder to get those orders in quick. It’s been somewhat busy here in planet Then, to say the least. We’re working hard packing, taping and still getting the parcels out on time. We’ll keep on doing so too.
So…
For petrol head and retro style lovers,
from 2 stroke scooters, bikers and truckers,
hot rod cruisers, classic car drivers and old time veedubbers,
music lovers, those from subcultures, mods, rockers, punks and others,
art lovers, cafe and bar business owners, home designers, mechanics in garages and mancave dwellers.
We hope you’ll find something you’ll love for all and others.
18th Sept. 2023
Home from a wonderful relaxing holiday, we haven’t been totally still though, thanks for those orders received whilst we were away, they are now sent. New deliveries have come in and new items are now in the shop, physical and online. Next up, it’s a big one, this Sunday we will be at the Oh So Retro Show, here in Margate at the Palm Bay recreation ground, 100’s and 100’s of fine cars , bikes, etc. lots of traders too, come and see us in our big blue tent.
1st Sept 2023
Wow! what a brilliant summer it’s been for us at Then. Talk about busy, sometimes struggling to get orders out on time, we always managed it though. If you’ve ordered from us, be it the ebay shop or online shop (always a little cheaper), or bought from us instore, we thank you and glad you like what we offer, the feedback has been great.
Then there’s all the new lines we’ve added, so many and yet more to come soon, watch this space. Even more interesting will be seeing where we make space for it all, that’s our problem though.
Anyway, now we think we deserve a holiday , so please note, the mail order service will be closed from Midday Monday 4th of Sept. to Sunday the 17th. you can still place orders but please note, they will not be posted out until Monday 18th or Tuesday 19th at the latest. The actual physical shop will still be open if you want to pop in. If you place an order this weekend it will still go out Monday .
That’s it for now, thanks again all who have visited and especially purchased something from us, we love our little shop and glad you do too.
24th May 2023
It’s been a busy week here inside planet Then, in fact, one of the best yet , can only get better still. Especially with boxes of new things arriving any day soon. Watch this space…….
4th May 2023
Please note, if you are planning to make an order over this Coronation Bank holiday weekend, we are taking a much needed short break from today. Any orders placed, will go out Asap on Wednesday the 10th May. For over the counter sales , someone will be here to help on Friday , Saturday and Tuesday. Thanks and hope you enjoy the weekend.
27th Apr. 2023
6th Apr. 2023
Happy Easter to all. Hope you have a great long weekend. If you find time, check out our online shop and look at at all the new lines, we have added throughout the Spring. Including just today, a new range of Retro inspired designer greeting cards. some pictured here in their new stand.
We are open at the actual shop, Good Friday Morning 10-12, Saturday 10-4 and closed Sunday and Bank holiday Monday.
14th Feb. 2023
Happy Valentines day to all. Been a busy few weeks here at Then, deliveries arriving and many of our popular lines are now back in stock. Some i know you’ve been waiting for. We’ve managed to soak up a lot of the recent price increases, not all, but most. So get in quick before the inevitable more increases, mean we can’t soak them up anymore. Look out for all the new items too. Today has been interesting to say the least, Banksy has been busy just round the back of our shop, you may have seen it on the News today. Lots of people trying to find it and TV crews a plenty. So if it’s your thing come and see it before it’s gone and us at the same time. 
10th Jan. 2023
Happy New Year one and all. A busy start to the year which is nice, some great new product ordered and on it’s way, so watch out for these in the next couple of weeks. So far we have been able to soak up any rises in costs, or at least keep them to the barest minimum. We will endeavour to try and keep doing so, but please be aware that some price rises are inevitable. For 2023 new stock ideas forming and plans aplenty. So please keep checking in, if you haven’t yet had chance to visit us in the actual shop, please do. For now, onwards and upwards. Richard & Jo.
16th Dec. 2022
Wow what a year it’s been , can’t believe it’s nearly over and how much we’ve grown in that time. This last two months we have sent out so many parcels , it’s been non stop, but loved it. We’ll be open right up to Christmas Eve and of course the online shop is always open. ( due to the obvious reasons, no more parcels can be guaranteed, to get to their destination before Christmas now)
Next year …..well even more products and growth , watch this space.
So from Jo & Richard.
Merry Christmas & Happy new year
7th Nov. 2022
It’s been awhile since i put up some latest news , so here’s a bit of a catch-up of what we’ve been up to. Our appearance at the annual The OhSoRetro Show at the tail end of Sept. was a huge success! Thank you to our customers, old and new, that visited us that day! Attending such an event means a lot of upheaval in our shop, so it was a great opportunity to have a little change around once we were back! Getting the existing stock, as well as some new arrivals, into place is such a satisfying job. We think it’s looking pretty good now, even if we say so ourselves. On top of that we now have all our shop signage done, so we are a lot easier to find.
Lot’s of new products in stock , and some exciting new stuff on it’s way. With Christmas in mind , please try and get your orders in as soon as you can , mainly because of the possibility of more Royal Mail strikes. We have looked into using other carriers and this might become something we do, if it becomes to much of a problem. To be honest though , Royal Mail’s service is just better, maybe a little more expensive but it gets to where it’s supposed to be going. Please also note , we are taking a few days off from 1st Dec – 6th, so all the orders that come in will be sent out on the 7th.
11th Sept 2022
We join the nation, the commonwealth and the rest of the entire world in mourning the sad loss of our Queen, Elizabeth II. Who was, it seemed , without us even noticing sometimes, a constant presence in our lives.
26th Aug 2022
It’s been another busy week here on planet Then, more deliveries of new lines and a re-stocking of items that we’d sold out of. So please check out the rest of the website and online shop, or better still, come and visit us , we can be found inside Thanet Autostores , 190 – 192 High St. Margate, CT9 1JZ . As your probably aware , there are some delays expected with Royal Mail for the foreseeable future, so please bare that in mind when placing orders. Also the mail order department is taking a break for a much needed holiday. So from 2pm on Friday 2nd Sept , all orders received , will not be sent out until Mon the 12th. The shop itself will remain manned. Hope you all have a great bank holiday weekend ( we are closed Sundays and bank holidays as normal) . hope to hear from you soon. Love n peas Richard & Jo.
12th Aug. 2022
Wow , it’s been hot down here on the Kent coast this last month or two, hope it’s been as good where you are, we’re loving it. We are also loving how busy we’ve been . Well over a hundred new lines added since our last News update, please check them out, these include new wall art prints from Twisted Rebel designs, new cast iron products, mugs (even our own inhouse designed ones) , new signs and lots more. Our mail order business, is going from strength to strength and really keeping us busy. Plus we have lot’s more space in the shop, come and see. Looking forward to “Oh So Retro” Here in Margate, at the end of Sept. where we will have our portable shop, look out for the big blue tent, with many of our lines for you to look at and purchase. So for now , enjoy this great weather while it lasts and hope to hear from you soon. Love and peas , Jo & Richard
10th June 2022
Well it’s been awhile since our latest news update, main reason, it’s just been busy busy busy, approx. a hundred new lines added since last update and so much more been happening. So from lots of new signs, wooden and metal, new gift ideas and even Gnomes, yes i said Gnomes 🙂 check out the shop instore or online. Special offer for Fathers Day , all orders up to the 19th June insert the coupon code Fathers22 at checkout and receive a 10% discount. Online orders only. More exciting news soon. Cheers !
12th April 2022
Happy Birthday to us, Happy Birthday to us ! What could be better than sharing our official 1st year anniversary with not only our visitors to the actual shop ( 10% off everything in store except vinyl records ) , but also our visitors to our website and online shop. So for 7 days only, at the checkout insert the coupon code birthday1 and you’ll get a 10% discount on everything in our online shop, including Sale items. So it’s not only a Happy Birthday for us but for our lovely customers too. Here’s to the next years ahead, Cheers !
10th March. 2022
So has spring finally arrived ? in these troubling times, it seems a little sun this afternoon and my flowers coming out, certainly help brighten the mood and outlook, for us anyway. Let us hope for more brightness and peace to all soon. A spring clean and a few changes in the shop help too, along with a re-vamp of the website and some new stock. April the 12th is not very far away and that sees us celebrating our first proper, official birthday. Look out for a few specials and even some freebies for customers instore, from Tuesday 12th to Saturday 16th April. So put that in your diaries and come visit us .
25th Jan. 2022
A bit late in the month i know but Happy New Year everyone. We’ve been busy here at Then, getting orders placed to replace all the Christmas sales, obviously adding a few new things too. There’s a small Sale on at present , so please look through the site shop, or of course come and visit us. These are selling through nicely and are mostly end of line items.
It’s going to be an exciting year ahead , so many ideas and new things to come, so keep visiting us and checking out the latest.
21st. Dec. 2021
7th Oct. 2021
Fully recovered (well sort of) from packing nearly the whole shop, into a van and setting it up again, at the fantastic, Oh So Retro show, then dismantling and transporting it back to the shop and re-displaying it , all in 24hours. The shop has been getting re-stocked and what’s more, even more new lines, have been added in store and online and what’s more, there’s even more arriving soon. So keep checking in folks. To avoid any disappointment , if your thinking of gift ideas for Christmas , can i suggest you get your orders in early. As some lines come from Europe, we are expecting delays of deliveries , so some products might not get re-placed in time if they sell out. Hope to see or hear from you soon.
2nd Sept. 2021
Well it’s now the first week of September and it certainly feels like Autumn is here today . Check out our Facebook page for some new views of the shop, it’s getting fuller and fuller and next week , there’s a pallet of new things arriving , so watch this space. Just got to figure out where it’s all going to go . Also this month there’s the amazing “Oh So Retro” show , held at Palm Bay on the 26th , just up the road from us here in Margate. Delighted to be having our pop-up shop there. So looking forward to it, one of the biggest events of the year here. Hundreds and hundreds of classic and custom cars , bikes & scooters , entertainment and other stands. A busy Summer is leading into an even busier Autumn i think.
6th August 2021
Hard to believe another month has gone by already, what a month it’s been too, it’s certainly been busy, so many new lines added . Apart from the new metal signs and mugs , we are Especially excited by all the new cast iron products, you’ve got to check them out. From Michelin men figures, Betty Boop doorstops to Royal Mail post boxes and lots more inbetween.
Then there’s all the new gift lines for those into VW’s, Fiat 500’s, Vespas , Harley Davidsons and so much more, more, more. To top that even more arriving from Europe in the next few weeks too, where are we going to put it all.
Hope your enjoying the summer so far and hope to see you in the shop or online soon, don’t forget to find us on Facebook. Richard & Jo
1st July 2021
Wow time is flying by! So what news…? Well, we have lots of new lines added this week alone and even more arriving shortly, so please check out the shop, online or in person. If you’re in the area and you love great music or are a collector, we have a large selection of second hand and a few new records, CDs, music mags and books currently available though selling fast! The biggest news though is that we have a lot more display space in Thanet Autostores – we’ve now moved to the rear third of the shop, more room to move around and see our stock, or chat and chill! Enjoy the summer, keeping checking our new lines, and see you soon!
4th April 2021
We are really excited to be opening our door once again on 12th April! In the coming days we’ll be in the shop getting everything ship shape and we look forward to seeing you very soon!
It’s been a LONG winter!
2nd Jan 2021
Wishing you a very happy New Year. Let’s hope we can open our actual front door, as soon as allowed and safe to do so. Until that day comes , please visit our online shop and see what we have to offer, all orders will go out as normal. Just because we can’t have anyone in the door , we can still be there for mail orders. We have lot’s of new lines coming soon , expansion of existing lines and we’ve had some great ideas too, so watch this space. Best wishes for 2021.
2 Dec 2020
We’re open! Come and visit us in our Margate shop, right at the top of Margate High Street.
22 Nov 2020
Just under 60 new products added this weekend!
14th Nov 2020
New stock and new lines arriving soon! Check back soon as we have some exciting new lines to add to our shop – you’re going to love them!
14th Nov 2020
With current lockdown restrictions in place, our shop in Margate is currently closed.
We are still taking orders online and are dispatching orders as normal, although Royal Mail and and carriers advise delays are possible