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How we celebrated our 60th birthday in style!
This year marked a major milestone for Trago as we proudly celebrated 60 years of serving our communities across the South West. Since opening our first store in 1965, Trago has grown into a beloved local institution, offering unbeatable value across thousands of products. To mark our diamond anniversary, all four of our stores joined in the celebrations with special events, exclusive offers, and plenty of fun for the whole family. Thank you to all our loyal customers, past and present, for being part of our journey!
Celebrating 60 Years of Trago
For six decades, Trago has been part of the South West’s shopping story – a place where great value meets a day out. What began in the mid-1960s as a bold retail experiment near Liskeard has grown into four unique stores across Cornwall, Devon, and Wales, each with its own character, charm, and loyal customers.
A Look Back at 60 Years of Trago
Trago’s journey started in 1965, when founder Mike Robertson transformed the site of a former gunpowder works near Liskeard into something entirely new – a destination where shoppers could find everything from “diamonds to dustbins” at unbeatable prices. The early years were built on a spirit of enterprise, with Mike sourcing everything from surplus engines to the now-famous “Russian wellies,” selling them at prices that made customers travel for miles.
Over the following decades, Trago expanded into Devon and later Cornwall, each store taking on a distinctive style – complete with turreted buildings, peacocks, and a mix of retail and leisure attractions. In 2018, the business opened its first Welsh store in Merthyr Tydfil, cementing its place as a regional shopping icon.
Today, Trago remains family-owned, still run with the same ethos of price, choice, and destination, and still delivering the kind of variety that keeps customers coming back – whether they’re shopping for carpets, cookware, DIY, toys, or simply enjoying a day out.
Trago through the years
Birthday Celebrations Across the Stores
This summer, each Trago store pulled out all the stops to celebrate our 60th year with a weekend of free entertainment, live performances, and family fun.
Liskeard welcomed crowds with live music from Johnny Cowling, Laura Williams, and Company B, plus jaw-dropping wrestling from Reach Wrestling and high-energy performances from Boom Circus – who also brought circus skills for children to try. A petting zoo delighted animal lovers, and the atmosphere was full of laughter and celebration.
Falmouth’s birthday celebrations were packed with entertainment for all ages. Visitors enjoyed live performances from Barretts Privateers, All for Jolly, and the vibrant Truro School of Samba. Roaming characters included Captain Jack Dawrr, stilt walkers, and a living statue from Hotch Potch, while Southwest Sea Wolves brought thrilling sword combat displays. Families flocked to ZooLab’s animal encounters, and children lined up for Kerry Morris’s face painting, plus free birthday cupcakes!
Newton Abbot was packed with activity, from exciting shows with Titan the Robot to broadcasts and giveaways with Radio Exe. Families enjoyed FunTasia inflatables, Chris’s Animal Encounters, free face painting, Higher Beings Circus, axe throwing, and close-up magic from Zigzag – creating a truly action-filled birthday weekend.
Merthyr Tydfil delivered thrills with the Team Extreme stunt BMX & skateboarding shows, plus storytelling workshops with Tamar, free face painting, close-up magic, animal encounters, and a funfair. The store was alive with excitement from start to finish, offering something for every visitor to enjoy.
Trago Gives Back for Its Birthday
Our birthday celebrations weren’t just about fun – they were also about giving back to our customers. As part of the festivities, we ran a series of special giveaways across all stores, including:
- Lucky Numbers – Five lucky shoppers are chosen at random at the end of each month (from July to December 2025) to win a £50 Trago voucher.
- Guess the Jellybeans – A classic guessing game with sweet rewards for the closest answer.
- Hippo Giveaway – A chance to take home your very own adorable Silent Night hippo plush.
- Why I Love Trago Competition – Five winners each receiving £1,000 Trago Vouchers for sharing their best Trago memories and stories, in 60 words or less.
Trago King & Queen
At each store, our 60th customer through the main doors was crowned Trago King or Queen for the day. They enjoyed the full VIP treatment – from special recognition to a £200 Trago shopping voucher – and spent the day celebrating in true royal style.
Here’s to the Next 60 Years
From its humble beginnings in Cornwall to its status today as a much-loved shopping destination, Trago’s story has always been about more than just bargains. It’s about the people – our customers, our teams, and the communities we strive to be part of, not apart from.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our 60th birthday celebrations. Here’s to many more years of value, variety, and unforgettable days out at Trago.
