The KitKat x Blockbuster pop-up video shop in Soho, London

KitKat has created a 'Blockbuster Video' pop-up shop in Soho, London to launch its new sharing chocolate bars.

The KitKat x Blockbuster pop-up video shop is part of a nostalgia inspired campaign to launch KitKat's new sharing bars.

The chocolate/video shop can be found on Greek Street in Soho, London until tomorrow, Saturday 12th April. It opened on Wednesday 9th April.

Check out the Nestlé website for more information about the KitKat x Blockbuster pop-up.

Unfortunately I couldn't make it down to London to visit the store. However, my friend Gareth Holmes went along today! Gareth joined the queue and sent me these photos from his visit to the Blockbuster store!

Browse the VHS tapes on the shelves

Have a break from browsing

Browse some more

A nice selection of old tellies

Visitors to the pop-up received a free KitKat sharing bar and a code to stream a film

Nostalgia and 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.

During the pandemic our interest in lost brands and retail history was piqued and over the last five years we've been to several former Blockbuster Video stores around the UK, as well as finding some other old, and some still open, video shops on our travels.

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 Blockbuster Video stores around the world. 500+ of which were in England, Scotland and Wales. Interestingly in Northern Ireland the Xtra-Vision brand was used by the owners in-line with the Republic of Ireland.

The last Blockbuster Video shop ceased trading in the UK in December 2013 and there is now only one Blockbuster Video store in the world - it's in Bend, Oregon, USA!

The KitKat x Blockbuster pop-up in Soho, London

KitKat has created a 'Blockbuster Video' pop-up shop in Soho, London as part of a new promotional campaign.

The pop-up video shop is part of a nostalgia inspired campaign to launch KitKat's new sharing bars.

The video/chocolate shop can be found on Greek Street in Soho, London from Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th April.

Unfortunately I can't make it down to London to visit, but luckily my friend Sarah Ward was able to swing by today! Sarah joined the queue and sent me these snaps from her visit to the Blockbuster store!

Sarah told me that while there was a fairly long queue and the pop-up was proving popular, the queue did go down quite quickly. As part of the experience visitors receive a KitKat sharing bar along with a code to stream a movie.

Check out the Nestlé website for opening times and more information about the KitKat / Blockbuster pop-up.

Nostalgia and 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.

During the pandemic our interest in lost brands and retail history was piqued and over the last five years we've been to several former Blockbuster Video stores around the UK, as well as finding some other old, and some still open, video shops on our travels.

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 Blockbuster Video stores around the world. 500+ of which were in England, Scotland and Wales. Interestingly in Northern Ireland the Xtra-Vision brand was used by the owners in-line with the Republic of Ireland.

The last Blockbuster Video shop ceased trading in the UK in December 2013 and there is now only one Blockbuster Video store in the world - it's in Bend, Oregon, USA!

Adventure Golf at Rufford Abbey Country Park, Nottinghamshire

A look at the Adventure Golf course at Rufford Abbey Country Park in Nottinghamshire.

Adventure Golf at Rufford Abbey Country Park, Nottinghamshire. Photo by Jam Trubridge

Many thanks to our friend and minigolf rival Jam Trubridge for sending over these seasonal snaps of the Adventure Golf course at Rufford Abbey Country Park in Nottinghamshire. Due to the weather it wasn't played on this occasion.

The course was created by the team at City Golf

It looks like an interesting layout, and it's got a lot of hole designs and obstacles we've not seen or played on our travels before.

Find out more on the Rufford Abbey Country Park website.

The Adventure Golf course at Rufford Abbey Country Park is one of several we've got to get to in Nottinghamshire. So many have opened up since our last trip to the county on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

Minigolf and Pit-Pat at Olympiapark München

A look at the Minigolf and Pit-Pat courses at Olympiapark München.

The Olympiapark München is home to a Miniature Golf course that was set-up in the athletes village for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

Our friend Kevin Moseley recently visited Olympiapark München while on holiday in Germany and sent us this snap of the minigolf and Pit-Pat layouts.

Minigolf and Pit-Pat at Olympiapark München. Photo by Kevin Moseley, October 2024

It's always nice to see different courses around the world. The Minigolf and Pit-Pat courses at Olympiapark München have been on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour to visit list since we found out about them.

You can find more information on the Olympiapark München and the Minigolf & Pit-Pat Olympiapark München websites.

Millport Crazy Golf on the Isle of Cumbrae

A look at the Crazy Golf course in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae.

A big thanks to our friend and minigolf rival John Moore for sending over this photo of the Crazy Golf course in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland from his recent trip there.

Millport Crazy Golf course. Photo by John Moore

Earlier this summer another of our friends, Seth Thomas, sent us a snap of the course.

We played the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour ten years ago while in Scotland for the Commonwealth Games. It's a lovely island to visit and just a short ferry voyage from Largs.

One of the postcards in our collection is this nice Valentine's "Silveresque" style postcard that shows the Crazy Golf course as it looked in the 1960s. It's still recognisable today. The course has had the addition of felt/carpet to the holes since we visited a decade ago. Hopefully we'll return one day.

Crazy Golf, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae. A Valentine's "Silveresque" 3059V Style Postcard, published by Valentine & Sons Ltd. Dundee and London. Postally used at 4.15pm on the 4th June 1964 and mailed from Millport itself

Check out the Millport Crazy Golf Facebook Page for more information.

Crazy Golf in Troon, Scotland

A look at the seafront Crazy Golf course in Troon, Scotland.

My friend and minigolf rival Simon Brown sent over a photo of the hut at the seafront Crazy Golf course in Troon from his recent visit.

You can see photos of the course from January 2023 in this guest blog post from Simon.

The 18-hole Crazy Golf course in Troon was the 573rd miniature golf course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in 2014.

Mini Golf at War Memorial Park in Coventry

A look at the Golden Putter Mini Golf course at War Memorial Park in Coventry.

Many thanks to our friend, fellow crazy golf adventurer and minigolf rival Matt Dodd for sending over some photos of the Golden Putter Mini Golf course at War Memorial Park in Coventry.

The Golden Putter Mini Golf course at War Memorial Park is a temporary pop-up seasonal course. The portable layout is a 36-hole course.

Check out the Golden Putter Mini Golf website for more information.

We've played and visited several Golden Putter Mini Golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Crazy Golf at Haven Doniford Bay Holiday Park

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Haven's Doniford Bay Holiday Park in Somerset.

Many thanks to our friend and minigolf rival Seth Thomas for sending over some snaps of the Crazy Golf course at Haven Doniford Bay Holiday Park in Watchet, Somerset.

Check out the Haven Doniford Bay Holiday Park website for more information.

It's always nice to find out about new and different miniature golf courses. Hopefully we'll get to visit this on on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Underground Golf at Zip World Llechwedd

A look at the underground minigolf course at Zip World Llechwedd.

Underground Golf at Zip World Llechwedd. Photo by Mark Swain, August 2024

Zip World Llechwedd near Blaenau Ffestiniog in Gwynedd, Wales is home to an underground adventure golf course.

Underground Golf at Zip World Llechwedd. Photo by Mark Swain, August 2024

Many thanks to our friend and minigolf rival Mark Swain for sending over these snaps of the course from his recent visit there.

Underground Golf at Zip World Llechwedd. Photo by Mark Swain, August 2024

We haven't made it to Zip World Llechwedd to have a game on the 18-hole course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour yet. But's it's on our list.

Underground Golf at Zip World Llechwedd. Photo by Mark Swain, August 2024

Take a look at the Zip World Llechwedd website for more information.

The Rules of Underground Golf at Zip World Llechwedd. Photo by Mark Swain, August 2

Deepest underground miniature golf course in the world

The Underground Golf course at Zip World Llechwedd holds the Guinness World Record for being the "Deepest underground miniature golf course" as it is 152 metres below ground. It's a record I was part of verifying in my role as a Consultant for the Guinness World Records. Check out the Guinness World Records website and the 2024 edition of the book to see more minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf records.

The Alnwick Garden Golf

A look at The Alnwick Garden Golf course.

Many thanks to our friend and minigolf rival John Moore for sending this photo of the minigolf course at The Alnwick Garden.

The Alnwick Garden Golf. Photo by John Moore, 2024

We're yet to visit The Alnwick Garden and we'll have to swing by for a game on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour one day.

Check out The Alnwick Garden website for more information.

Millport Crazy Golf

A look at the Crazy Golf course in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae.

Many thanks to our friend and minigolf rival Seth Thomas for sending over this snap of the Crazy Golf course in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland from his recent trip.

Millport Crazy Golf. Photo by Seth Thomas, 2024

We played the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour ten years ago while in Scotland for the Commonwealth Games.

Check out the Millport Crazy Golf Facebook Page for more information.

Miniature Golf at Baker's Golf in Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA

A look at the Miniature Golf course at Baker's Golf in Lanesborough, MA, USA.

It's always nice to see different minigolf courses around the world and I recently received these photos from Kevin Dias who was back home in the USA and swung by Baker's Golf in Lanesborough, Massachusetts for a game on the outdoor miniature golf course.

Miniature Golf at Baker's Golf in Lanesborough, Massachusetts, USA. Photo by Kevin Dias, 2024

Take a look at the Baker's Golf website for more information.

Baker's Golf was established in 1943

Kevin was the brains behind The Putter King - a minigolf brand that brought together minigolfers from around the world in an international treasure hunt!

Minigolf around the world - Bali Mini Golf in Indonesia

A look at the Bali Mini Golf course at Luwak Coffee Garden in Indonesia.

Bali Mini Golf at Luwak Coffee Garden in Indonesia. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, October 2018

My brother Christopher, a charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour swung by the Bali Mini Golf course at Luwak Coffee Garden in Bali, Indonesia while on holiday in 2018.

Bali Mini Golf at Luwak Coffee Garden in Indonesia. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, October 2018

Bali Mini Golf at Luwak Coffee Garden in Indonesia. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, October 2018

Bali Mini Golf at Luwak Coffee Garden in Indonesia. Photo by Christopher Gottfried, October 2018

You can find minigolf courses - and interesting business combinations - around the world!

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Since 2006 Emily and I have visited 1,044 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, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain (including Lanzarote and Majorca), Sweden and the USA.

When added to the courses Christopher and his family have visited around the British Isles and Turkey, Spain (Majorca), Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Indonesia, Croatia and the USA, the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour stands at a combined 1,091 courses visited!