As independent shops fight for their survival, one of Southend’s oldest and most iconic shops has successfully fought back against the tide of online shopping and big name retailers.

Run by three generations of the same family, Argosy Toys in London Road, Westcliff, has cemented itself as a favourite for shoppers from all over Essex.

“The Argosy” opened in 1947, before Beverly and Rod Wohl bought it in 1987. They ran it until 2004, when they handed the keys to their son Paul, who has now enlisted his son Thom to help run the businesses. 

Now 51, Paul is Argosy’s longest-serving employee after starting out at just 14 years old. 

Echo: Paul took over from his parents in 2004 and has helped grow Argosy's popularity.Paul took over from his parents in 2004 and has helped grow Argosy's popularity. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

He said: “In 2000, I helped my dad for a week. He asked if I could extend that to two weeks, then six months, and before I knew it, my parents were retiring and I took over.

“A lot of people are coming here today to buy presents for their grandchildren, like they did for their children years ago.”

Echo: The Kirby family are regular visitors to Argosy, especially around Christmastime.The Kirby family are regular visitors to Argosy, especially around Christmastime. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Simon Kirby, 43, wife Clare, 49, and their daughter Bella, 6, are regular visitors to the shop.

Simon said: “I’ve been coming here for 38 years, since I was a little boy. My grandma lived up the road and she used to bring me here.”

Clare added: “We’ve shopped here more since the pandemic, as we believe we need to help keep independent shops open.”

Echo: Paul with mum Beverly and son Thom as a baby, at the shop in 2004.Paul with mum Beverly and son Thom as a baby, at the shop in 2004. (Image: Thom Wohl)

Former postmaster Rod passed away earlier this year. However, the shop’s continued success is in no small part down to him and Beverly. 

That is despite one toy manufacturer’s rep telling Beverly in 1987: “There’s no way a woman can run a toy shop.”

Nearly four decades on, she is “pleased and proud” that Argosy has “continued to prosper”.

Beverly said: “When my late husband and I closed the shop’s Post Office, we both thought it wouldn’t last too long. How wrong we were.

“It is lovely to see it growing and being such a popular place to shop.”

Echo: Argosy's life-size Lego clown is popular with shoppers of all ages.Argosy's life-size Lego clown is popular with shoppers of all ages. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Beverly has never been afraid to defend her shop. 

When a man tried to run off with Argosy’s life-size Lego clown in the 1980s, Beverly gave chase and helped the police catch him. 

Over 40 years later, it stands proudly in the shop’s showroom.