Question about Birketts of Lincoln - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

eddie_ce · 20th Mar 2018, 7:18 pm

Hi all,
I am planning my current trip to the UK in May, planned around the NVCF. One trip I am thinking of is taking the train to Lincoln so that I can experience the Birkett emporium. Does anyone know whether the shop is within walking distance from the railway station? I gather he is open on Thursdays from 10:00-1600h. Can anyone confirm?

Many thanks.

Mods, if necessary please move to a more appropriate section.

Junk Box Nick · 20th Mar 2018, 7:50 pm

Yes, it is in walking distance for the average person and for those who can cope with a moderate climb.

Leave the station and head for the Cathedral. You walk through the newer part of the town and then climb the hill towards the Cathedral. Birkett's main shop is on the right hand side as you ascend.

The shop is on The Straits but this becomes Steep Hill beyond and when you look up you'll know why!

Nick

kalee20 · 20th Mar 2018, 7:58 pm

I'm heading to Lincoln afternoon of Saturday 14th April! Is he likely to be still open then?

stevehertz · 20th Mar 2018, 8:21 pm

I didn't know about this place, just googled it - amazing!

GrimJosef · 20th Mar 2018, 8:33 pm

I'm not sure how busy it is now. It was an absolute Aladdin's cave when I was a teenager in the first half of the 1970's. I bought a fully functional, if a bit chipped, WS19 there for a pound or so.

Cheers,

GJ

IvorBlister · 20th Mar 2018, 9:53 pm

I was in the shop last Thursday and John was sitting in his usual chair. Always good to chat to him and I always buy something even if it is only a few metres of drive cord. Opening hours can be variable but the 'official' hours as posted on the window are on attached pic.
Nick

Kentode · 21st Mar 2018, 8:05 am

I visited last autumn, specifically for some drive cord. When I asked how much it costs, John said "two pounds a metre or ten metres for two pounds. Which do you want?".

I took the ten metres and a pair of 4000 ohm headphones for a crystal radio.

A great shop, a great man. I wish I lived closer.

ionburn · 21st Mar 2018, 9:53 am

You could always try phoning first (01522 520767). Interestingly I have never heard the phone recently in the shop, but I presume the number is still valid.

camallison · 21st Mar 2018, 10:03 am

Last time I phoned, not on a Thursday, he said the phone was in his home. Maybe that is why.

Colin

dsergeant · 21st Mar 2018, 7:07 pm

When I was there some 30 years ago I only looked through the window.... I expect it looks identical today, a traditional shop. Depending how much time you have to spare there are loads of other interesting places to see in Lincoln, the cathedral and castle surely at the top of the list. I don't get up to those parts these days after Mum passed away but visited loads of times when I was a kid (over 50 years ago...).

Dave

20th Mar 2018, 7:18 pm	#1
eddie_ce Hexode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: nr. Hannover, Germany Posts: 372	Question about Birketts of Lincoln Hi all, I am planning my current trip to the UK in May, planned around the NVCF. One trip I am thinking of is taking the train to Lincoln so that I can experience the Birkett emporium. Does anyone know whether the shop is within walking distance from the railway station? I gather he is open on Thursdays from 10:00-1600h. Can anyone confirm? Many thanks. Mods, if necessary please move to a more appropriate section. __________________ Eddie BVWS Member. Friend of the BVWTM

20th Mar 2018, 7:50 pm	#2
Junk Box Nick Octode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Midlands, UK. Posts: 1,571	Re: Question about Birketts of Lincoln Yes, it is in walking distance for the average person and for those who can cope with a moderate climb. Leave the station and head for the Cathedral. You walk through the newer part of the town and then climb the hill towards the Cathedral. Birkett's main shop is on the right hand side as you ascend. The shop is on The Straits but this becomes Steep Hill beyond and when you look up you'll know why! Nick

20th Mar 2018, 7:58 pm	#3
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,082	Re: Question about Birketts of Lincoln I'm heading to Lincoln afternoon of Saturday 14th April! Is he likely to be still open then?

20th Mar 2018, 8:21 pm	#4
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,831	Re: Question about Birketts of Lincoln I didn't know about this place, just googled it - amazing! __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

20th Mar 2018, 8:33 pm	#5
GrimJosef Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,311	Re: Question about Birketts of Lincoln I'm not sure how busy it is now. It was an absolute Aladdin's cave when I was a teenager in the first half of the 1970's. I bought a fully functional, if a bit chipped, WS19 there for a pound or so. Cheers, GJ __________________ http://www.ampregen.com

20th Mar 2018, 9:53 pm	#6
IvorBlister Tetrode Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Mansfield, Notts, UK. Posts: 77	Re: Question about Birketts of Lincoln I was in the shop last Thursday and John was sitting in his usual chair. Always good to chat to him and I always buy something even if it is only a few metres of drive cord. Opening hours can be variable but the 'official' hours as posted on the window are on attached pic. Nick Attached Thumbnails __________________ I think I have repaired this radio beyond repair !!

21st Mar 2018, 8:05 am	#7
Kentode Octode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Yorkshire, England. Posts: 1,301	Re: Question about Birketts of Lincoln I visited last autumn, specifically for some drive cord. When I asked how much it costs, John said "two pounds a metre or ten metres for two pounds. Which do you want?". I took the ten metres and a pair of 4000 ohm headphones for a crystal radio. A great shop, a great man. I wish I lived closer. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Regards, Ken. BVWS member

21st Mar 2018, 9:53 am	#8
ionburn Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 583	Re: Question about Birketts of Lincoln You could always try phoning first (01522 520767). Interestingly I have never heard the phone recently in the shop, but I presume the number is still valid.

21st Mar 2018, 10:03 am	#9
camallison Heptode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Yarm, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 535	Re: Question about Birketts of Lincoln Last time I phoned, not on a Thursday, he said the phone was in his home. Maybe that is why. Colin

21st Mar 2018, 7:07 pm	#10
dsergeant Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire,UK. Posts: 1,172	Re: Question about Birketts of Lincoln When I was there some 30 years ago I only looked through the window.... I expect it looks identical today, a traditional shop. Depending how much time you have to spare there are loads of other interesting places to see in Lincoln, the cathedral and castle surely at the top of the list. I don't get up to those parts these days after Mum passed away but visited loads of times when I was a kid (over 50 years ago...). Dave