Urbex - Blockbuster Video in Fallowfield

A look at the remains of the old Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester.

Blockbuster Video lives on in Manchester. In a way.

Kind of.

Lost Blockbuster Video in Oldham

Last month we popped over to Oldham for our daily walk and a look for an old Blockbuster Video store on Ashton Road.

Sadly there were no traces of the brand visible at the former location. Until fairly recently the upstairs windows had retained the Blockbuster branding. Sadly they had been boarded up. Had the store been open I believe the old QuikDrop box is still in place. Next time we're over that way we'll take another look.

Interestingly the new shop in the building has retained a blue and yellow colour scheme and a Square is a kind of Block too

It wasn't all for nought though as we did spot an apt road name on the way back.

----

Check out more Blockbuster Video related blog posts

Remnants of Blockbuster Video

Finding some more traces of the lost brand.

We've always enjoyed exploring our surroundings, looking for and hunting out interesting things. We've seen quite a few ghost signs on our travels and many of these are hangovers from another time, some even dating back over a hundred years.

Since we found the remains of Blockbuster Video just up the road from us in Fallowfield, Manchester we had a look to see if there were any other former branches still showing signs of the brand.

We were in luck as on our walks around Cheadle Hulme and Marple we spotted the ghostly outline of a sign, as well as an old QuikDrop box.

The outline of the old big ticket logo of Blockbuster is still visible behind the Majestic Wine sign. A modern day ghost sign

The QuikDrop slot is the only part of the former Blockbuster Video Express in Marple that hasn't been painted over. It's now a Post Office

It'll be interesting to see if we spot any other traces of the brand once we're back out on the road on Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels.

You can actually play a Blockbuster Video crazy golf hole at Ghetto Golf in Digbeth, Birmingham!

The Blockbuster shop hole at Ghetto Golf Birmingham

Blockbuster Video Express in Westcliff-on-Sea

A look at the old Blockbuster Video Express in Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend.

Many thanks to my friend and fellow blogger Mark Routh for sending me these photos of the old Blockbuster Video Express store in Westcliff on Sea, Essex.

It's amazing the signs are still up seven years since the demise of the brand.

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

I found out the Blockbuster signage was still in place at the Westcliff-on-Sea store via this post on Instagram.

We should've been visiting family in Southend-on-Sea this summer but that trip has been postponed. Hopefully we'll get back down there soon so I can check out the old Blockbuster store too.

Check out Mark's superb postcard blog at Mark's Postcard Chat and his Facebook Page. The blog is a wonderful insight into the world of postcard collecting and social history.

Urban Exploration - Blockbuster Video in Fallowfield, Manchester

A look at the old Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester.

Since I found the remains of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester last October I've been intrigued to see the brand still has a lingering presence in the retail world. It's always interesting to see ghost signs, remnants of old & dead brands and signage while out and about on our travels.

It's so odd to see Blockbuster branding along with social distancing signage and notices 

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013.

A notice on the door at the old Fallowfield branch. Some retail history

As well as the Fallowfield Blockbuster there are still signs of the stores in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex, Chiswick in London and Norwich in Norfolk.

A view inside the old store

Related blog posts:
- Blockbuster
- Fallowfield
- Urban Exploration

The remains of Blockbuster Video in Manchester

A return look at the remnants of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield, Manchester.

I spotted the remains of a Blockbuster Video store while driving to Manchester last October. I returned for a look at the Fallowfield Retail Park location during my lockdown daily outdoor exercise time yesterday.

Some more of the inside of the store has become visible since my first visit. You can now see the remains of a computer system, a CRT TV on a desk and a larger CRT TV hanging from the ceiling.

How TV's should be

I wonder what the last film trailer to be shown on that telly was?

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013.

Oh how times have changed since then.

Social distancing

As with all of the other shops at Fallowfield Retail Park the pathways and walls have had Covid-19 social distancing signs and stickers added.

There's nobody around to observe social distancing from

It's quite something to see the remains of a defunct brand from 'the before times' alongside the signs-of-the-times during the coronavirus pandemic.

A Covid-19 social distancing sign on the exterior of the long since closed Blockbuster store

The tented bay you can see in the right of the photo is part of a drive-in Covid-19 test facility!

A look at the old store

Did you ever rent games from Blockbuster? I remember buying a few ex-rental PlayStation games from the Luton store in the early noughties

Frozen in time

I wonder what the last item to be dropped in here was?

Some old paperwork

Unfortunately in the coming months and years we are likely to see a number of other brands disappear.

The last Blockbuster

There is currently one independently owned franchise still operating as Blockbuster in the USA and you can find it in Bend, Oregon.

We were planning to visit Portland, Oregon later this year. The Blockbuster in Bend is 174 miles from Portland and a 3-hour journey by car.

There used to be a Carphone Warehouse in Fallowfield. That store was another casualty of the retail wars. They actually bought Tandy when that went out of business too. My first job was at a Tandy franchise in my home town back in the 1990s

Blockbuster Crazy Golf

Interestingly there is still another 'Blockbuster' store in the UK. It's part of the Ghetto Golf indoor crazy golf course at The Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham.

The Blockbuster Video hole at Ghetto Golf in Digbeth, Birmingham

Do you have a favourite defunct brand? Are the remains of an old brand still visible on a building where you live or work? Do let me know.

The last remnants of Blockbuster Video in Manchester

A look at the remains of the Blockbuster Video store in Fallowfield.

A look at what's left of Blockbuster Video on Fallowfield Retail Park

A few years ago I blogged about seeing the last signs of the Tandy in Hitchen and how it brought back memories of my first job as a Saturday Boy at a Tandy franchise in my home town.

While in Manchester today I found remnants of another dead brand - Blockbuster Video.

Oh, what happened to this sign?

Dark clouds gathered over the brand in 2013

The store sign is prominently displayed on both sides of the main sign at Fallowfield Retail Park and the windows of the shop still retain Blockbuster signage.

A sign in the shop window

Most of the shelves inside have been removed, but the walls and desks clearly retain the brand colours of Blockbuster.

These window graphics still look fresh

Clearly still recognisable as a Blockbuster

The shelves are bare

There is currently one independently owned franchise still operating as Blockbuster in the USA and you can find it in Bend, Oregon.

Quik Drop box to nowhere

A documentary about the rise and fall of the brand called The Last Blockbuster is coming soon.

Interestingly you can play through a 'Blockbuster' store at the Ghetto Golf indoor miniature golf course at The Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham.

The Blockbuster hole at Ghetto Golf in Birmingham

When I was a student I was one of Geoffrey's Helpers at Toys R Us. Most of the former stores have been converted into new stores, Stockport's is now The Range. I wonder if any of the old signage for the Toys R Us brand will still be visible in the next 5-10 years?

Do you have a favourite defunct brand? Are the remains of an old brand still visible near where you live or work? Do let me know.

Related posts:
- Blockbuster
- Tandy in Hitchin
- Remembering Tandy
- RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes

Videos from the 2015 World Crazy Golf Championships

Action from the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings.

The 2015 World Crazy Golf Championships took place on the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Hastings, East Sussex on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October.

Check out the video of the final group of Michael Smith (GBR), Nuno Cunha (POR) and Chris Harding (GBR) playing their final shots of the tournament.

Michael Smith defeated 74 players to become a three-time World Crazy Golf Champion.

Pasi Aho (FIN) was runner-up. Former, and three-time, champion Chris Harding (GBR) was third.

The date of next year's World Crazy Golf Championships has been announced as Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June 2016.

Emily playing the 5th hole at Hastings Crazy Golf

Videos:
- World Crazy Golf Championships 2015 - Phil Botto on Hole 2
- World Crazy Golf Championships Final 2015 - Hole 16
- World Crazy Golf Championships Final 2015 - Wasps in Hastings
- World Crazy Golf Championships Final 2015 - the leading group play hole 18
- World Crazy Golf Championships Final 2015 - the leading group play hole 18 version 2

Links:
- Hastings Adventure Golf
- British Minigolf Association
- World Crazy Golf Championships 2015 results

Related blog posts:
- World Crazy Golf Championships 2014 Videos
- BMGA British Crazy Golf Open 2013 Videos
- Videos from the Final of the 2012 'Castle Golf' World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings
- Videos of the 2011 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings
- Report from the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings
- World Crazy Golf Championships
- Hastings

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter. You can also sign-up to receive our newsletter.

World Crazy Golf Championships 2014 Videos

Videos with action from the final of the 2014 World Crazy Golf Championships.

2014 World Crazy Golf Champion Chris 'Who' Harding on his way to victory in the final round of the tournament played at Hastings Sea Front

Check out the video and links below for action from the World Crazy Golf Championships held on the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course at Hastings Sea Front on the 25 and 26 October 2014.



Video links:
- World Crazy Golf Championships 2014 Final - Kellard, Aho, Kelly on Hole 9
- World Crazy Golf Championships 2014 - Kelly, Aho, Kellard on Hole 16
- World Crazy Golf Championships 2014 - Cunha, Kelly and Harding on Hole 16
- Final hole of the 2014 World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

Links:
- Hastings Adventure Golf
- British Minigolf Association

Related blog posts:
- World Crazy Golf Championships
- 2014 World Crazy Golf Championships Report from Hastings

Finger Jousting videos from the World Alternative Games 2014

Competitors from five countries competed in the World Finger Jousting Championships at the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales with Sara Galvao of Portugal and Denis Taylor of Russia crowned as new world champions.

The Finger Jousting Champions and Corinthian competitors at the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells

Following the event the World Finger Jousting Federation, the governing body for the sport of Finger Jousting, has uploaded a number of videos with action from the event to the WFJF YouTube Channel.

Video: An introduction to the official 2014 World Finger Jousting Championships

Check out the World Finger Jousting Federation's YouTube Channel for more videos from the 2014 World Finger Jousting Championships.

You can read the report from the World Finger Jousting Championships on the WFJF website.

Links:
- World Finger Jousting Federation
- World Finger Jousting Federation on YouTube
- World Alternative Games

Related blog posts:
- Finger Jousting
- World Alternative Games

"Minigolf, an international sport" - New WMF Video Now Online

The World Minigolf Sport Federation has published a new promotional video from the WMF World Minigolf Championships. The video shows the passion, concentration, intensity and skill on display in an elite Minigolf sport event.

Check it out on the WMF's YouTube Channel at "Minigolf, an international sport."

   

The World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) is the umbrella organisation of Minigolf sports association's worldwide and continental associations in Asia, Europe and America. Please visit the WMF website for more information about the sport of Minigolf.

Links:

- World Minigolf Sport Federation

- WMF YoutTube Channel

Minigolf interview with the Pub Sport Portal

Check out the interview I gave to Craig Rodhouse from the Pub Sport Portal during the British Minigolf Association's British Club Championship tournament in Basingstoke.

   

You can also view an interview with the BMGA's Chairman, the avuncular Sean Homer, on the Pub Sport Portal YouTube Channel, as well as a video of the whole event.

Related blog post:

- Check out Minigolf on the Pub Sport Portal

Links:

- Pub Sport Portal website

- Pub Sport Portal YouTube Channel

- Pub Sport Portal on Twitter

Check out Minigolf on the Pub Sport Portal

Film of the BMGA British Minigolf Club Championship in Basingstoke.

The recent BMGA British Club Championship Minigolf tournament held at Basingstoke Golf Centre in Hampshire was visited by Craig Rodhouse from the Pub Sport Portal website.

Following the competition, the final event of the British Minigolf Association Tour’s 2013 season, a film showing the event highlights was put together – and what a great video it is too, with plenty of holes-in-one on show.

Check out the blog and video at the Pub Sport Portal.

Related blog posts:

- Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Final Results of the 2013 BMGA Season

- Pub blog posts

- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in Pub Beer Gardens

- Basingstoke Golf Centre - New Mini Golf courses played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Links:

- Pub Sport Portal

- Pub Sport Portal on Twitter
- Pub Sport Portal on YouTube

- British Minigolf Association

- Basingstoke Golf Centre

- Kent Spitfires win British Minigolf Club Championships 2013 at Basingstoke Golf Centre

- Minigolf posts on the Pub Sport Portal

My top ten videos on YouTube

To mark my 500th YouTube video being uploaded here are the top ten by number of views since I put my first video on the site in February 2007.

1.       Crazy Golf at Poole Park - Hole 9 Pinball. 86,692 views.

2.       Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2011 - Final Sudden-Death Play-off - Holes1-4. 46,029 views.

3.       Crazy Golf at Poole Park - Hole 9 Pinball - hole in one. 35,760 views.

4.       Crazy Golf at Henblas Park. 27,210 views.

5.       Hither Green Swedish Felt Minigolf course visit - video 3 of 6. 19,456 views.

6.       Jobbing to Arm Champs II Arcade Machine. 17,275 views. The first video I ever uploaded to YouTube.

7.       UK Rock Paper Scissors Championship 2010 - The Grand Final. 5,398 views.

8.       Hither Green Swedish Felt Minigolf course visit - video 2 of 6. 4,179 views.

9.       Minigolf Trick Shot - Blindfolded Hole-in-One - Putter King Miniature Golf ScavengerHunt. 3,387 views.

10.   Hither Green Swedish Felt Minigolf course visit - video 4 of 6. 2,876 views.

My 500 videos have a combined 376,031 views! Thanks to everyone who has watched one (or more).

Do you have a favourite? Let me know if you do via the comments below.