Martin Steel of Toy City in Wood Green was presented with a Golden Teddy by Roger Dyson at the Toymaster Regional Meeting in Swindon.
“A wonderful and complete surprise” is how Martin Steel described receiving the BTHA Golden Teddy award at the recent Toymaster Regional Meeting in Swindon.
Having worked in the toy industry for some 45 years, he is well liked and respected by the many friends and colleagues he has met over that period and says it has been a fantastic industry to work in.
His son, Simon, set about finding out how his dad could be honoured with the award and Martin was secretly nominated by two suppliers.
Although Simon is now running the business, Martin says: “I keep my eye on it and I’m not sure I’ll ever officially retire from the industry.” He only recently stopped going into the shop.
Commenting on the award, he said: “It means a lot to me to receive the Golden Teddy. It’s nice to be recognised for all the effort I have put in over the years. It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”
Simon, who joined the business eight years ago, added: “Dad has put a lot into the toy industry and I felt it would be nice for him to get some recognition. He’s still very much in the loop at the shop and likes to know what is going on.”
The Golden Teddy is presented by the BTHA to recognise the dedication that recipients have given to the toy industry over the years.
Toy City is a proud Toymaster member and the Toymaster team has expressed its congratulations to Martin.
Toy City recently featured in a Talking Shop article with Toy World, which you can find in our latest March edition, or by clicking here.