A family-run fidget toy shop opened its doors in Darlington for the first time today to a crowd of eager and excited customers.

From humble beginnings of selling a handful of fidget toys online to a full-blown walk-in store in Darlington - this is the journey of Funky Fidgets Shop, who finally opened their store on Borough Road today (July 20).

Queues gathered ahead of the opening at 10am, some of whom have travelled from far and wide to get their hands on exclusive and hard to get fidgets and toys.

Melissa Brunskill with daughter Alex Stubbs.Melissa Brunskill with daughter Alex Stubbs. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Fourteen-year-old Alex Stubbs was the mastermind behind the brand, and took a chance during the Covid-19 lockdown when she began selling squishy toys on the social media site TikTok.

The toys range from teddies to putties, lanyards, joke toys, poppers and more which are used for fun but are also often used as sensory objects for the SEN community.

Inside the Funky Fidgets Shop.Inside the Funky Fidgets Shop. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Inside the Funky Fidgets Shop.Inside the Funky Fidgets Shop. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The account quickly blew up - and they now have 434,000 followers and their own online store which has shipped fidget toys as far as Australia.

Funky Fidgets is now very much a family affair. Alex's mum Melissa Brunskill quit her job in 2021 to support the business and expressed how overwhelmed and excited she was ahead of the opening.

Melissa told The Northern Echo: "I'm just so impressed with how it's turned out - we've been in here the last few weeks getting it all ready.

Inside the Funky Fidgets Shop.Inside the Funky Fidgets Shop. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

"We are so excited - Funky Fidgets is something new for the town. There is not many toy shops around - never mind in Darlington. 

"There is nothing for sensory needs."

Outside, a flock of customers were braving the heat waiting for the doors to open.

One customer, Amy Pitchers, was there with her children Daisy, 10, and Ollie, 12. Asked why they came to the opening, Daisy said she loved fidgets, and they "relax" her.

Amy Pitcher with kids Ollie, 12, and Daisy, 10.Amy Pitcher with kids Ollie, 12, and Daisy, 10. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

She added that she was hoping to find a drawing pad fidget when she was able to get inside.

Mum Sophie Lewis had also came along with dad Ian and their children Eva Grace, 5, and Alexander, 2.

The family know Funky Fidgets from their TikTok presence, and came to the opening to find sensory toys for their daughter.

Sophie and Ian Lewis with kids Eva Grace, 5 and Alexander, 2.Sophie and Ian Lewis with kids Eva Grace, 5 and Alexander, 2. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

However, Sophie could not contain her anticipation, as she laughed and said she was "just as excited" to get inside as her daughter.

Annie O'Keefe, 21, and Kennedy Sharp, 19, had a far longer journey than many to be at the store for its opening day.

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Annie O'Keefe, 21, and Kennedy Sharp, 19 from London.Annie O'Keefe, 21, and Kennedy Sharp, 19 from London. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The pair had travelled from London and booked a nearby hotel to stay in the previous evening. Speaking to the Echo, they said the opening "means so much to them" and the store is like their "dream shop".

The Funky Fidget Shop can be found on Borough Road in Darlington and will be open from 10am-4pm every Saturday, increasing to also being open on Friday from 1pm-7pm from September.