I grew up in my teens only a few miles away from the first Maplin shop, and used to buy all my components there. In those days, the guys really knew their stuff and would freely give help and advice to anyone who came in the shop, even a spotty teenager with no money like me.

The 5600S stood proudly on display in the shop, clearly visible from the window. It looked fantastic – all those knobs and dials – and eventually (after several visits) I asked if I could try it out, only to be given a curt "No!"by Doug, the manager. Funny, because he was a really helpful guy who once encouraged me to copy some effects circuits out of a book that he knew I couldn't afford. Future customer loyalty was a priority with him.

Next time I went in, I asked again and got the same reply. I must have asked four or five times over several months until I was told to stop asking! Eventually, one of the other guys took pity on me and explained – it hadn't got any electronics in it!

That first Maplin shop in Westcliff was absolutely briliant.