Eileen Soper's Illustrated Worlds (was E B Story Centre)

[Anita Bensoussane]

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9 ... s_the_axe/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Viv, I am so sorry to read this after all your passion and hard work. A very sad day.

I'm sorry to hear that Eileen Soper's Illustrated Worlds is closing, Viv. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to you a couple of years ago, and if I'd had the chance to visit an attraction like that as a child I'd have been thrilled to bits. An very imaginative venture, and it's a terrible shame to see it go.

[Julie2owlsdene]

Sorry to hear this news, Viv. Does this mean you have to close almost immediately? At least you gave this venture a good go, and I think if we weren't in such a ressession your venture would remain. Well done for giving it a go, you should feel proud of yourself.

[Eddie Muir]

I'm also very sorry to hear the sad news, Viv. Eileen Soper's Illustrated Worlds is a wonderful attraction that I thoroughly enjoyed visiting in May last year. Good luck with any future ventures!

[Francis]

Thank goodness I visited it - Viv did a wonderful job.
Unfortunately I had to rely on a coach trip and they
do not happen very often. At least I will be going
to the Ginger Pop shop in a few weeks (another coach trip!).

[7upromana01]

Is it going to close within a year? Is the shop going with it? I desperately want to go! Save Eileen Soper's Illustrated World!

[Wayne Pyer]

How terribly sad. So sorry Viv. You deserve better.

[Lucky Star]

I'm terribly sorry to hear this Viv. As others have said you gave it your best shot and did a fantastic job; just a pity the economic climate was not favourable. At least you followed your dream and made it come true if only for a short while.

[Fiona1986]

A real shame, Viv. By all accounts it seems a great place.

I was hoping to come and see the place if I ever make it down to Corfe (Stef and I have talked about going together maybe next year). We'll just have to make do with the Castle, and of course the Ginger-Pop Shop.

[Spitfire]

I'm sorry to hear the news, Viv. Sadly I've never been close enough to come and visit and now won't get the opportunity. It's a sad day for all Blyton/Soper lovers everywhere as the shop must be unique.

[poddys]

So sad to hear the news Viv. This is a wonderful attraction for Poole, a shame that they can't see it.

Hopefully they will help to find a new location and to do more (or at least something) to promote it, and EIleen Soper's Illustrated Worlds will live on.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

Brief reply - and thanks for kind messages -

What really annoys me is that according to Trip Advisor we are the second best thing to do in Poole, and in the top 10% of things to do in the whole of Dorset, but quality and quirkiness don't seem to matter....

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction ... gland.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I put huge effort into the Famous Five Adventure Trail, but the whole thing almost fell apart with Chorion in meltdown, and numerous staff changes both at Hodder and National Trust. I pulled it off, but whilst the publicity was supposed to be in place a year ago and the project ready to roll by February, I was still being asked to re-write the thing in April!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ginger-P ... 0732116078" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We intend to keep Poole open to 5th November so that people can finish the Trail

I'm not happy with the National Trust at Corfe at the moment, and won't be doing events for them next year.


Viv

[poddys]

Such a shame after all that hard work you put in Viv, and with Enid Blyton getting more popular again lately too.

I hope something good comes of this. I wonder if it's worth petitioning Poole Borough Council or something similar to stimulate public interest.

Certainly advertising Dorset as The Jurassic Coast has worked wonders for tourism. Advertising the Purbecks as Enid Blyton Country you would think could make a difference.

[Julie2owlsdene]

I wonder if it's worth petitioning Poole Borough Council or something similar to stimulate public interest

It's not a case of that,Poddys. I think it's more the case of if enough punters had come through the doors of Viv's shop, then she could have renewed her lease. If the lease ends and the current owner doesn't renew then it goes up for sale again, as it has done in this case. This is what Viv was explaining to me a while back now, so opologies Viv, if I've got the senario incorrect! It's not a case of Viv isn't wanted in Poole, resession is still onging no matter what this government keeps trying to tell us, and shop keepers all over are suffering.

[poddys]

Very true Julie, and I think the combination of Poole not promoting this as well as it could, plus the awful weather this summer has not helped.

There are already a lot of places to eat on Poole Quay, including the pubs that have been there for donkeys years as well as other newer restaurants, but at the end of the day money rules unfortunately.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

There is still time to complete the Famous Five Adventure Trail 2012 – entries must be posted by 5pm on 5th November and the prizes are worth winning!

The Ginger Pop Shop at Poole will close for good on Sunday 2nd December

Eileen Soper’s Illustrated Worlds will close for good on Sunday 18th November.

The Ginger Pop Shop at Corfe Castle will be open every day until Monday 5th November and for the rest of November it will be open at weekends. Christmas closing is 24 – 25 – 26. It will also be closed on Fridays in December apart from Friday 28 December. It will close on Sunday 6th January for the rest of the month.

There are no plans for any events in 2013.

It has been a terrible year for everyone on Poole Quay – but at least I have the satisfaction of being rated above Sandbanks on Trip Advisor!

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction ... gland.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Viv Endecott