The Suffolk Pokémon Phenomenon Continues …As GG Trading Expands its Outlet at Stonham Barns Park

The mid-Suffolk-based business – GG Trading Cards and Collectables – is the creation of 24-year-old gamer and collector Kieran Singleton who has been a fan of the Japanese-created Pokémon series since he was a child. 

The new double-area store is not only offering Pokémon cards but also a much larger gaming section with lots of rare games, consoles and memorabilia around gaming.  The stock includes everything from Pokémon figurines and soft toys to comics, Bitty Pop! Toys and Lego sets.

Pokémon – which is an abbreviation of ‘Pocket Monsters – is just one of the collectables stocked by the new enlarged shop at Stonham Barns Park.  It also features Lego, Funko, Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Harry Potter and other games and gaming memorabilia.  Pokémon – launched in 1996 – and backed by Pokémon Go, video games, cards, collectables and a TV series – is the phenomenon that shows no sign of going away.  Popular characters include Charizard, Gengar, Blastoise, Bulbasaur and – of course – Pikachu!

Says Kieran, ‘The culture behind Pokémon Go is well known, we have all seen fans walking the streets, searching for and catching Pokémon.  And you can also play in the comfort of your own home.  It’s the trading card game that connects the real and virtual worlds and it’s bigger today with collectors than it ever has been.  With the 30^th anniversary year next year, we are excited to see where the collecting culture will go in the future.  Pokémon is still the absolute biggest thing in trading cards right now. The future looks very bright, and we have expanded the store here in Mid-Suffolk to supply the enthusiasts from the region.’

‘The fact that Ed Sheeran is a huge Pokémon fan helps to keep the series in the spotlight.  We follow the global trends and it’s hard to predict but anything could happen – worldwide – in the cards and collectables arena.  We stock cards that sell from anywhere between 30 pence to £850 and, globally, cards go for millions of pounds.’

‘The collectables trade is huge in the US with rare pieces being sold at auction for mega amounts.  Collecting is for anyone with an interest in legendary cards, characters and technology from the past.’

‘GG Trading Cards and Collectables was a hobby that grew into a business. I have customers as young as three and four years old and some who are in their 50s and 60s.  It appeals to so many people.’

The shop stocks cards and collectables of all types to appeal to a wide variety of collectors. 

Kieran sources many of his products from gaming exhibitions and shows.  He continues, ‘The quirkier the more appealing they are to the inner child in all of us. The kids from the past become the collectors of the future.  It’s a thing that stays with you through life. It helps to have something that interests you and it can become compulsive.’

‘I’d love to meet Ed one day as we could talk about Pokémon. My favourite is Ditto while his is Squirtle.  We’d have something in common!’

Kieran – who opens the shop 6 days a week – lives in Debenham.

Stonham Barns Park been serving the community of Suffolk since it opened, and it is now becoming a more prominent part of Suffolk tourism which is growing exponentially year on year.  Stonham Barns Park itself welcomes many visitors from all over the UK – particularly from London, the South-East and from as far away as The North and Scotland.  Recent additions to the venue include Café 24 and the recently opened Legends Sports Bar – a bar developed in honour of a variety of sporting legends – for the use of the community and those visiting for holidays and short breaks.

For more information about Stonham Barns Park please contact 01449 711901 or visit www.stonhambarns.co.uk