Proud Lion 2.0 - settling in

by Ben Fardon

Comics!

A tremendously late, tremendously short but tremendous none-the-less blog post tonight - or is it this morning? - featuring a look at some of the progress made to day.

Graphic novels! We're planning a restock in time for Free Comic Book Day, have no fear!

Quite a lot more to do tomorrow - including some TLC for the old shop - to turn it into a giant advertisement for the new place, in a manner that would befit Dante from Clerks. A loving homage, you might say. "What smells like shoe polish?"

Games!

OK, time to get some sleep. See you soon folks, not long now.

Ben Fardon is too tired tonight to repeat the address 8 St George's Place ad infinitum.

Proud Lion 2.0 - moving day!

by Ben Fardon

Goodbye old friend...

5pm on Saturday 26th April marked the last day of trading from our original premises on Albion Street. Just over six years and one month after I first opened the doors, we spent a lovely day serving comics, graphic novels, games, collectables and other delights to our customers, before turning the key and cashing up.

Then the hard work really began.

Over the course of the next few hours, we packaged up stock, disconnected IT equipment and dismantled furniture. By the end of the night, we were all exhausted but Proud Lion was ready to ship across town.

This morning, we hauled ourselves out of bed and reconvened. Assisted by a van, several cars and a workforce of fantastic friends, we loaded up and set off for pastures new. By the time we'd finished, the old premises looked pretty desolate (pictured right).

8 St George's Place though is definitely taking shape! There's a lot more to do, but I'm pleased to announce that Proud Lion will be trading from 8 St George's Place as of next week. We'll be closed tomorrow as usual, plus Tuesday to get a chance to get everything ship-shape.

Here's a sneak peek at the new sales counter

Proud Lion will re-open in our new premises (that's 8 St George's Place, have I mentioned?) on Wednesday 30th April at 10am. It will be new comics day, and we'll have a treasure trove of new titles including the all-new Amazing Spider-Man #1, the new Atomic Robo, Jason Aaron's Southern Bastards, plus the fourth issues of Serenity: Leaves On The Wind and Batman Eternal, and the finale of Origin II. We'll also have the second deluxe expansion for Netrunner, Honor and Profit!

New release comics section taking shape

It will be business as usual, just in a brand new location. I'm very excited to be able to welcome you to our new home!

Don't forget, this Saturday is Free Comic Book Day! If you want your free #swag, you'll have to come and find the new shop. We'll be over on 8 St George's Place, opposite Badlands Records!

Thank you to everyone who has helped us over this weekend: Rae, Kiddo, my Dad, Andy, Kieran, Jamie, Christina, Duncan and Gideon (never underestimate the moral support of a friendly face and kind words!), Lex, Jo and Liam! Furthermore, huge thanks to everyone who offered to help as well. Even if we didn't call on your services, it was greatly appreciated to feel like we were working with a net!

See you next week. At 8 St George's Place!

Ben Fardon has a fun way to remember the new postcode, that apparently highlights his upbringing in Wiltshire.

Proud Lion 2.0 - taking shape

by Ben Fardon

Phew. It's safe to say we are exhausted here at the Lion Heights, after toiling away all over Easter.

We took possession of a shop that was a basic shell. Grey/purple walls surrounding us and lots of work to do:

So we set to work painting:

Followed by fitting slat wall and other fixings:

Rae and my Dad hard at work, whilst I slack off taking pictures!

After a long weekend, we are starting to look like a shop. We have some additional work to do this weekend, but we are hoping to move into the new premises on 8 St George's Place shortly. Stay tuned for more news!

Ben Fardon fell asleep trying to do this blog post several nights in a row!

Proud Lion 2.0 - we have lift off!

by Ben Fardon

After months of hints and speculation, we can confirm that Proud Lion is moving to new premises soon!

That's right, we are Oscar Mike. I finally got our hands on the keys to the new shop last Friday and work has already begun. We've been painting and starting the shop fit, with the hopes of being ready in time for Free Comic Book Day. It will all depend on how much we get done this Easter weekend, but rest assured we'll keep you posted!

Here's a few of the frequently asked questions that have been asked in store recently regarding our upcoming move. If you have a query that I don't cover, please email me (though bear in mind replies may take a little longer at present as we have a LOT on!).

Where is this fabled new location, Ben?

I'm glad you asked! Our new premises is 8 St Georges Place, Gl50 3JZ, opposite our friends at Badlands Records (don't forget it's Record Store Day this Saturday!). Some of you may remember it used to be the British School of Motoring offices a while back, and more recently it was a little art gallery.

It's just around the corner from the Library and The Wilson, Cheltenham's Art Gallery & Museum. There is a small, open air car park behind the  new premises.

Right now, it looks a little like the picture on the left (I had hoped to have an artist's impression of Proud Lion 2.0, but it's not been possible yet).

Here's a handy map I put together yesterday:

When will you be moving?

It's frustrating but I can't fix a date yet. As I say, it will depend on how much we get done this weekend. It is my goal to see us in there in time for Free Comic Book Day, but I'll provide regular progress updates.

Why are you moving? What's happening to the old location?

40 Albion Street has been our home for a little over six years and I'd love to stay if we could, but it's sadly not an option. The whole row of shops will be demolished in the near future, along with the old Odeon and the old car dealership to make room for a new mixed development of flats, houses and smaller shops.

We will retain the use of 40 Albion Street for the first few months that we have the new premises, allowing us to hang a huge banner directing our lovely customers to the new shop.

You don't seem to have much stock in at the moment - are you really moving, or are you closing down?

We are moving! I have every intention of guiding Proud Lion from our impending sixth birthday through to our tenth birthday and beyond! It's true, I'm not doing any large restocks just yet but this is simply due to logistics. The more stock we have in store now, the more we have to move to 8 St Georges Place in the next few weeks and the greater the risk that things will get damaged in the move.

Anything we can do to help?

Bless you, you guys rock. We've had loads of offers of help and they're all very gratefully received. If we do end up needing any assistance, I'll be sure to put out a request on our social media feeds. Thanks again!

Right, I'd best get my nose back to the grindstone. Lots to do and deadlines are looming. Have a lovely Easter folks!

Ben Fardon is not allowed in lifts with other people anymore.