Showing posts with label Essex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essex. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Lost Shops - Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Taking a look at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.


Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

The signage at the old Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea is no more, and work is underway on the unit to create two new shops and flats.

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Here's what it looked like when we visited in April last year.

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)



Blockbuster Video in the UK

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 stores around the world. 500-plus of those were in the UK.

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013. At the start of that year there were 528 Blockbuster locations in the UK. The number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. The last stores closed on the 16th December.

There are still some visible remnants of the brand on the high street and on retail parks. And we've been to most of them on our travels!

Check out the posts about former Blockbuster Video stores we've been to in:

Lost brands

Emily and I have spent the last few years reminiscing about 'the good old days'. One of our areas of interest is in old retail brands - we're both marketers by profession and two of my first jobs in the 1990's and the year 2000 were at Tandy and Toys R Us, while Emily's first job was at a Happy Shopper shop. It's been fascinating to find remnants of these brands - and a number of other lost, dead and defunct brands - on the high street and at retail parks around the UK.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Crazy Golf at Basildon's Christmas Lights Switch-On

There will be a Crazy Golf course at Basildon's Christmas Lights Switch-On on Saturday 16th November.


There will be a Crazy Golf course at Basildon's Christmas Lights Switch-On on Saturday 16th November

Monday, November 04, 2024

Glow Sports Zone opening at the Eastgate Shopping Centre Basildon

The Crazy Golf course at the Eastgate Centre in Basildon, Essex will be re-opening under new branding this month.


Glow Sports Zone will be opening at the Eastgate Centre in Basildon in November 2024

Glow Sports Zone will be opening at the Eastgate Centre in Basildon later this month. The venue is being opened by Vlogger Charlie Davis.

The course venue has been known as Neon 9s Golf Bar. And before that had been a Jurassic Mini-Golf experience.

We haven't been to Basildon yet on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Sunday, September 15, 2024

Halloween Adventure Golf at Golf World Stansted

Golf World Stansted is hosting a Halloween Adventure Golf event.


Golf World Stansted is hosting a Halloween Adventure Golf event

The Halloween Adventure Golf at Golf World Stansted will be taking place on Thursday 31st October, Friday 1st November and Sunday 3rd November.

Find out more on the Golf World Stansted website.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Playing at Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.


Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf is home to two 9-hole indoor courses.

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Each has a distinct design and style, with one course using a fantasy minigolf style, while the other utilises Swedish Felt B-Run 'lanes' as the base for the course. It's a unique set-up and looks very nice.

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

The Blue course at Caddies Crazy Golf became the 1,020th visited (564th played) while the Red course was the 1,021st visited (565th played) on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Check out the Caddies Crazy Golf website for more information, opening times and prices. As well as the Southend venue you can also find Caddies Crazy Golf in Crawley.


Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Caddies Crazy Golf in Southend-on-Sea

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour


Since 2006 Emily and I have visited 1,064 miniature golf courses around the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. As well as playing minigolf in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey and the Isle of Man we’ve travelled to minigolf courses in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain (Lanzarote and Majorca), Sweden and the USA.

When added to the courses my brother Christopher and his family have visited around the British Isles and Türkiye, Spain (Majorca), Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Indonesia, Croatia and the USA, the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour stands at a combined 1,111 courses visited!

Arnold Palmer Mini Golf course in Southend

Here's a look at the Arnold Palmer Mini Golf course in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.


Arnold Palmer Mini Golf course in Southend

We revisited the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Mini Golf course on the Esplanade in Southend-on-Sea on our trip to the seaside town in April 2023.

Arnold Palmer Mini Golf in Southend

The course was originally the 16th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in March 2007 and we've returned a number of times since then.

Arnold Palmer Mini Golf in Southend

Arnold Palmer Mini Golf in Southend

Arnold Palmer Mini Golf in Southend

Arnold Palmer Mini Golf in Southend

Arnold Palmer Mini Golf in Southend


Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour


Since 2006 Emily and I have visited 1,064 miniature golf courses around the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. As well as playing minigolf in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey and the Isle of Man we’ve travelled to minigolf courses in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain (Lanzarote and Majorca), Sweden and the USA.

When added to the courses my brother Christopher and his family have visited around the British Isles and Türkiye, Spain (Majorca), Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Indonesia, Croatia and the USA, the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour stands at a combined 1,111 courses visited!

Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea

Here's a look at the Adventure Golf course at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.


Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea

We revisited the Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea on our trip to the seaside town in April 2023.

Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea

Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea


Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea

We actually played the Aztec and Inca Adventure Golf courses at Adventure Island in 2003, three years before our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour began. Sadly the results of that contest are lost in the ether!

Adventure Golf at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour


Since 2006 Emily and I have visited 1,064 miniature golf courses around the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. As well as playing minigolf in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey and the Isle of Man we’ve travelled to minigolf courses in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain (Lanzarote and Majorca), Sweden and the USA.

When added to the courses my brother Christopher and his family have visited around the British Isles and Türkiye, Spain (Majorca), Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Indonesia, Croatia and the USA, the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour stands at a combined 1,111 courses visited!

Saturday, April 20, 2024

From Jurassic Golf to Glo Golf in Basildon

The indoor minigolf course at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon, Essex is in the process of changing from a Jurassic-themed course to a glo-golf, with UV paint and lighting effects.


The indoor minigolf course at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon, Essex is in the process of changing from a Jurassic-themed course to a glo-golf, with UV paint and lighting effects

We haven't been to Basildon yet on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Sunday, April 07, 2024

Putt Putt Social in Colchester

A new Putt Putt Social indoor minigolf venue is planned to open in Colchester.


Putt Putt Social Minigolf in Norwich. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, September 2023
Putt Putt Social Minigolf in Norwich. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, September 2023

There are plans to turn the former Debenhams department store in Colchester, Essex into an indoor crazy golf course.

Visit the Putt Putt Social website to find out more about the brand's existing courses.

It'll be another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Monday, April 01, 2024

Noah’s Park Adventure Golf at Barleylands in Billericay

Barleylands in Billericay has a new minigolf course.


Barleylands in Billericay has a new minigolf course

A new Adventure Golf course has opened at Barleylands in Billericay, Essex.

The Noah’s Park Adventure Golf course is an 18-hole outdoor layout.

Check out the Barleylands website for more information.


It's another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Thursday, February 08, 2024

The old Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

A look at the former Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.


Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

We visited the old Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea in April. It was nice to see some of the signage was still in place, even though there was a lot of scaffolding up around it.

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

I've since heard that all of the Blockbuster signage has now been removed.

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)

Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (April 2023)


It's always fun to see ghost signs, remnants of old & dead brands and interesting signage while out and about on our travels. Since I found the remains of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester in October 2019 I've been intrigued to see the brand still has a lingering presence on the high street. The last Blockbuster Video shop ceased trading in the UK in December 2013!

Our travels have taken us to several former Blockbuster stores:

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

BUNKERS! Crazy Golf now open in Romford, Essex

The new BUNKERS! indoor entertainment venue in Romford, Essex is now open.


BUNKERS! Crazy Golf is now open in Romford, Essex

BUNKERS! at The Brewery shopping centre in Romford, Essex is home to a crazy golf course, shuffleboard, and axe throwing.

Visit the BUNKERS! website for more information about the new venue, as well as the existing BUNKERS! location in Swansea.

It's another new course for us to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Jurassic Mini-Golf at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon

A new Jurassic-themed Mini-Golf course is opening at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon, Essex.


A new Jurassic-themed Mini-Golf course is opening at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon, Essex

The indoor dinosaur-themed Mini-Golf course will be part of the new Jurassica Live venue at the shopping centre.

Visit the Jurassica Live website for more information.