Iconic Glasgow joke shop Tam Shepherds closes its doors for final time

Owner Jean Watson posted on social media that uncertainty over a redevelopment of the building where the shop is located, and the high costs of operating in the city centre, meant the business was no longer sustainable. 

She said that the brand would continue online, but would no longer have a “bricks and mortar” presence in Queen Street. 

However, she added that it is hoped the shop will re-open at another location, although where has not been specified. Until then, Tam Shepherds will trade online. 

Tam Shepherds has occupied the same premises since the days when Queen Victoria was on the throne – and is said to be the oldest magic shop in the world. 

The shop was established by Tam Shepherd in 1886 and has been run by the Walton family for the past 75 years.

Tam Shepherds. Pictured here are family owners – Roy, who passed away in 2020, and Jean Walton along with daughters Julia Walton (red hat) and Sarah Cameron (Silver hat) (Image: Colin Mearns/NQ) Familiar to generations of Glaswegians, the shop sold novelty jokes and magic tricks and was a popular haunt for hundreds of magicians and stage conjurers through the decades. 

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A statement posted on the shop’s Facebook site said:  “We are sad to announce that Saturday 9th November was the last day of trading from our long established bricks and mortar shop in Queen Street.

“The building that we are part of is to be redeveloped. The new development includes retail space, and we have the opportunity to re-open in what we hope will be a revitalised, small-business friendly city centre. 

“However, the uncertainty of the redevelopment, together with the high costs of being a small independent shop in the city centre in the current climate, is not sustainable for us.” 

Tam Shepherds has been in the same location since 1886. It is run by the Walton family – Pictured are dad Roy, who passed away in 2020, wife Jean, and daughters Julia and Sarah (Image: Mark F Gibson)

The statement continued: “Tam Shepherds will continue with our online shop tamshepherds.com, supplying customers with our collection of jokes, tricks and costumes.

“To all our customers and friends, thank you so much for all your custom and support. We hope to welcome you back in the future. And thank you to Glasgow for making Tam Shepherds the shop it has been.”