Many migrants from Britain love to hear about British shops opening up in Australia.
Some of them miss the products that they grew up with, the recognition with British shops, and something to feel just that little bit of home again.
Well, here is another, although it has been here for longer than many people think:
Early Learning Centre was founded over 30 years ago in England by a father, John Beale who was frustrated at the lack of non violent toys for his small son. So he set about making his own toys and opened his first store. Today there are 240 stores in the UK , and over 120 more worldwide, and the philosophy of rejecting toys that encourage violent or anti social behaviour remains true to this day.We opened our first Australian store in 1998 and opened our 30th store in late 2007.
Locations as at July 2010
Australian Capital Territory
Fyshwick (DFO)
New South Wales
Belrose (now with mothercare)
Bondi Junction
Campbelltown
Castle Hill (now with mothercare)
Chatswood (now with mothercare)
Erina
Hornsby
Kotara
Miranda
Moore Park (now with mothercare)
Mosman
Penrith
Rhodes
Queensland
Broadbeach
Chermside
Indooroopilly
Upper Mt Gravatt (ELC)
Upper Mt Gravatt (Mothercare)
South Australia
Oakland Park
Victoria
Chadstone (mothercare store)
Cheltenham (Southland) (now with mothercare)
Doncaster (Kids Central)
Doncaster (mothercare store)
GeelongGlen
Waverley
Richmond
Western Australia
Booragoon
Claremont
Early Learning Centre Links: stores