UK turns to board games, puzzles, and crafting as suppliers and toy shops prepare families for school closures – ToyNews

When the world goes all topsy turvy, it would seem that the British public – the ones not occupying themselves with sitting on mountains of toilet paper and packets of pasta – are turning to the simple pleasures of jigsaw puzzling.

This is the sentiment from the board games and puzzles specialist, David Westnedge Ltd, at least, who has told ToyNews of “huge increases in demand” for the traditional hobby since the Government urged the country to adopt self-isolation measures amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

“With many office workers, students, grandparents, and parents having to stay at home during this difficult time, each have needed to stay entertained,” a spokesperson from David Westnedge Ltd explained. “The public has turned to the retailers who have, in turn, looked to us to bolster their jigsaw puzzles stocks so that they can cope with the unprecedented increase in demand.”

The firm has reported a particular surge in demand of its range of Piatnik Jigsaws, a range featuring traditional imagery and artwork.

Up and down the UK, independent toy retailers have been supplying children and families with board games, puzzles, and make and do activities to keep them entertained throughout the imposed school closures taking place from next week.

Peter Allinson, owner of Whirligig Toys, told ToyNews: “We are supporting customers by providing free delivery on all orders and putting additional lines onto our website so that they have the greatest choice possible. As a small online retailer, we do not have the massive warehouses but can also be more responsive as we don’t have to maintain a huge team to ensure delivery. As long as Royal Mail are operating, we can get toys to our customers.”