Past Times was a United Kingdom high street retailer, specialising in gifts and retro style goods. It was established as a mail order company in 1986 by John Beale,[1] who was also the developer of the Early Learning Centre.[2] In June 1987, the company opened the first branch in Oxford.
The firm went into administration in January 2012[3] and in March 2013 the brand name was bought by WHSmith.[4] Past Times' website was taken down following the purchase.[5]