Antony was the fourth generation of the family to be involved in the Toy Industry. Previous generations ran the well-known Redgates store, established in 1857 in Sheffield. Redgates reached its zenith in the 1960s when it became known in the trade as one of the best toy shops outside of London, often referred to as the “Hamleys of the North.”
Antony’s journey into the toy trade began in 1971 when aged 18 he moved to London to work for Cowan de Groot, a large toy importing business. Two years later, armed with these experiences, Antony returned to his roots in the North and joined the family retail business of Redgates. During this time Antony oversaw Redgates’ wholesale division, Wilson Gumpert. Redgates and Wilson Gumpert was instrumental in the founding of the Buying group Toymaster, which Michael Nunn, his father was chairman of White Rose Toys, a buying group which was a cornerstone to the existing Toymaster which continues strongly today.
Antony met his wife Silke in 1977, the daughter of Franz and Marianne Goetz, founders of the prestigious children’s play doll manufacturer Goetz Dolls based in Rödental, Germany. A match made in heaven! After the sad closing of Redgates and Wilson Gumpert in 1988, AM international was co-founded with Mark Eckersley to primarily distribute dolls, children’s toys, nursery goods and even a few garden gnomes! In 1998, after ten years of successful trading, Antony went on to forge his own path and Antony Nunn Agencies was established. Antony’s son Patrick joined the business in 2009, bringing with him youth, energy and new products. A.N.A. will proudly continue under Patrick’s leadership as the fifth generation of the family to work within the toy trade. Antony will be remembered in the industry for his good humour, fair and honest business practices, and his lifelong dedication to a trade that he was proud to be part of.
Besides Antony’s working life he was an active sportsman running several marathons and numerous half marathons. Alongside running, he was a proficient golfer and an avid squash player, in the later years reverting to racketball which is known to be much easier! And Antony would never miss an opportunity to support his beloved Blades from the stands.
As a very generous, considerate and kind man, Antony supported several charities he was passionate about. Antony joined the charity Osteoporosis 2000 as a Director in 2000. Alongside several close friends, he brought together a strong team of doctors and lawyers to endorse the efforts of the charity and was responsible for many fundraising events. This was a role he was well-suited to given his proclivity for a social event. More recently he was asked to become a patron of a local hospice close to his home – Ashgate Hospice, Chesterfield. This privilege filled him with immense pride and he dedicated a significant amount of his later life to raising money and bringing further awareness to the essential work and care the hospice provides.
Antony sadly passed away unexpectedly on the 5th February aged 69. Antony will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. He leaves behind his wife Silke, daughter Charlie, son Patrick and his grandson Walter who he adored.
A Memorial service will be held Wednesday 15th March at 2.30pm, St. Thomas’s Church, Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield S40 3AW. The wake will be at the Fox and Goose Inn, Pudding Pie Hill, Chesterfield, S42 7JJ from 3.45pm onwards. All welcome. No flowers please, but donations, if desired to www.memorygiving.com/antonynunn
