It's been a year (almost) since we opened the door to our new shop "Gadget Hub", which incorporated a DVD rental business and our exisiting IT support business "Gadget-Help".
Since then so much has changed, the business has grown and changed, our customers numbers are growing steadily and Gerard is now known around the City as "The Gadgetman". We've introduced Independent Wines, Grown-up Gadgets (including 2 Dragons' Den Exclusives) and a phenomenal range of collectable and birthday present toys.
This is one of the reasons why we have decided the time is right for us to change our name. We are now known simply as "The Hub" or online as "The Hub Direct". So this blog will be ending....but a new one will be starting. Hop over to http://thehubdirect.blogspot.com/ and follow us there to see all the latest news and stories from The Hub.
It's the same with our Facebook Page - so you can now follow us at www.facebook.com/thehubdirect for daily updates.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Spring is in the air...
It's been a little while since I've done a blog, and thought it might be nice to let you know of some of the changes and developments that have been going on at The Hub.
We are feeling positively spring-like here as the snow has all finally cleared and we've been doing some special offers to make space for the new products that are arriving on our shelves this month.
Firstly, we've been making room for all of the new film titles coming out this month, including "The Social Network" and "Despicable Me". This means that there are lots of our ex-rental films for sale, some older titles, some newer ones. Bargains include "Eclipse" "New Moons" and "Twilight" from the Twilight Saga, "Shutter Island" and classics such as "The Last King of Scotland" and "One for the Road". These are available in store for £4.50 each or 3 for £10.00.
We've made it even easier for you to catch up with all the latest titles. Our Midweek Madness offer is now a regular feature where every week from Monday to Wednesday simply pick 2 films, for 2 nights for just £6.00. A great saving and a fantastic opportunity to get to see all the week's new releases as they hit the shelves.
We've had delivery of lots of new products for kids, such as our Lego City Playmats, Lego Pens and Moshi-Monsters range (see facebook for the full range) with Zoobles, Filly Princess and Iwako due in the next few days. As a result we have a small sale on some select items, including pink puffles, which are reduced to £5.00 until the end of the month.
Not to make the men left out, we've introduced our Sackboy Remote Control Holder in tandem with the release of the Little Big Planet 2 game and our Jigsaw SAW head knocker with 7th and final SAW movie due for release in March. Get the SAW head knocker for just £12.99 (saving you £3) when you rent any of the SAW titles.
We've also been reviewing our selection of Independent Wines for you to enjoy on your night in. With a duty increase as well as VAT going up we've been having lots of fun trying to find great wines that suit everyone's budget. Our top pick of some of our newest wines include Terra Andina Carmere - a rich and fruity red from Chile (£5.99) and Stellar Organics Chenin Blanc - a Fairtrade and Organic refreshing white from South Africa (£6.49).
Valentine's Day also saw a rush on our Pink by Yellowglen Sparkling Rose Wine - at just £7.99 it's perfect for adding sparkle to any occasion (and much better in our opinion than most of the supermarket rose's - that are often more expensive). In the words of one of our regular wine customers "Anyone can pick a good wine that's expensive, but the challenge is picking good wines that are affordable". With the majority of our wines priced under £10.00 we think we've done just that.
With lots more changes planned over the coming months we'll carry on Spring cleaning to make sure your family is entertained after a visit to The Hub.
We are feeling positively spring-like here as the snow has all finally cleared and we've been doing some special offers to make space for the new products that are arriving on our shelves this month.
Firstly, we've been making room for all of the new film titles coming out this month, including "The Social Network" and "Despicable Me". This means that there are lots of our ex-rental films for sale, some older titles, some newer ones. Bargains include "Eclipse" "New Moons" and "Twilight" from the Twilight Saga, "Shutter Island" and classics such as "The Last King of Scotland" and "One for the Road". These are available in store for £4.50 each or 3 for £10.00.
We've made it even easier for you to catch up with all the latest titles. Our Midweek Madness offer is now a regular feature where every week from Monday to Wednesday simply pick 2 films, for 2 nights for just £6.00. A great saving and a fantastic opportunity to get to see all the week's new releases as they hit the shelves.
We've had delivery of lots of new products for kids, such as our Lego City Playmats, Lego Pens and Moshi-Monsters range (see facebook for the full range) with Zoobles, Filly Princess and Iwako due in the next few days. As a result we have a small sale on some select items, including pink puffles, which are reduced to £5.00 until the end of the month.
We've also been reviewing our selection of Independent Wines for you to enjoy on your night in. With a duty increase as well as VAT going up we've been having lots of fun trying to find great wines that suit everyone's budget. Our top pick of some of our newest wines include Terra Andina Carmere - a rich and fruity red from Chile (£5.99) and Stellar Organics Chenin Blanc - a Fairtrade and Organic refreshing white from South Africa (£6.49).
With lots more changes planned over the coming months we'll carry on Spring cleaning to make sure your family is entertained after a visit to The Hub.
Friday, 28 January 2011
Don't fall victim to the latest computer scams
We are receiving more and more reports from our customers of computer scams in the area. Basically they all start the same way, the phone rings and a fraudster tells you that they are from a microsoft accredited company, or associated with your broadband provider. They then tell you that they have reports of a virus on your computer and persuade you to switch it on asking you to visit various web pages so they can show you the virus warnings. In some cases they will also ask you to download remote access software so they can take control. They will always say that the anti-virus software you have is inadequate, and that they can recommend better options.
The aim of the call is to persuade you to part with some cash when they repair the "problems" they've highlighted to you, the rub here is that these problems never existed in the first place. However there are also concerns that they may actually infect your computer with viruses and malware searching for personal data.
These scams take hours to set up, operate under various different names, but seem to have in common an 0203 telephone number. These are bought in an attempt to make themselves look legitimate, however these numbers are cheap and easy to buy and can be accessed from around the world. They offer no guarantee that the person on the end of the phone is calling from London.
It's an easy and cheap fraud to set up, but shutting it down seems much harder. The only way to ensure that you stay safe from these scams is to hang up if you receive an unsolicited call.
Think about it as you would your own door, if someone called unsolicited asking you information about your PC or laptop you wouldn't let them in...don't do it over the phone or internet either!
If you think you may have fallen victim to one of these scams drop in to chat to our resident gadgetman.
The aim of the call is to persuade you to part with some cash when they repair the "problems" they've highlighted to you, the rub here is that these problems never existed in the first place. However there are also concerns that they may actually infect your computer with viruses and malware searching for personal data.
These scams take hours to set up, operate under various different names, but seem to have in common an 0203 telephone number. These are bought in an attempt to make themselves look legitimate, however these numbers are cheap and easy to buy and can be accessed from around the world. They offer no guarantee that the person on the end of the phone is calling from London.
It's an easy and cheap fraud to set up, but shutting it down seems much harder. The only way to ensure that you stay safe from these scams is to hang up if you receive an unsolicited call.
Think about it as you would your own door, if someone called unsolicited asking you information about your PC or laptop you wouldn't let them in...don't do it over the phone or internet either!
If you think you may have fallen victim to one of these scams drop in to chat to our resident gadgetman.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Blue Monday
Watching the news today I discovered that today is apparently one of the most miserable days of the year. So much so that it has been nicknamed "Blue Monday". All of us are fed up with the UK weather, and looking at post-Christmas bills with horror!
So what is the best way to cheer yourself on this downtrodden day, slap on a happy face! According to experts one of the most effective ways to trick your body into cheering up is to smile, forced or not!
So what is the best way to cheer yourself on this downtrodden day, slap on a happy face! According to experts one of the most effective ways to trick your body into cheering up is to smile, forced or not!
We have some great comedies in store to help you put that smile back on your face, and even better news (particularly with the post Christmas blues) is that midweek you can now rent out 2 movies, for 2 nights for only £6.00. Our top pick of titles are:
1. The Hangover - 15 - A high action rip-roaring belly laugh of a comedy that tells the story of a Las Vegas Bachelor party which goes way off plan.
2. Yes Man - 12 - What happens when you say "yes" to every question? The possibilities are endless in this laugh-out-loud comedy starring Jim Carrey.
3. The Ugly Truth - A battle of the sexes romcom that both men and women will love with brilliant chemistry between the lead actors Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler.
4. Priceless - 12 - Outstanding French romantic comedy which is funny, sexy, romantic and glamorous...perfect!
5. Please Give - 15 - Quirky and perceptive comedy which portrays a families life in New York City. Excellent humour which will have you laughing for days afterwards.
We have a dedicated comedy section in store with a great selection of classic and new titles, so come down to find your favourite and laugh away those January blues!
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Top Films of 2010
Happy New Year to all our customers and friends of The Hub. We've now been able to look over the Top Films of 2010, and there has been very little change, even though some cracking titles came out towards the tail end of the year. In reverse order, the top 10 films of 2010 were:
10. Clash of the Titans - all out action in this re-make of the classic 1981 film. Enjoyable to watch for the whole family, although younger children may find some scenes a little scary.
9. Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief - Based on the popular book series this film is all about Greek mythology brought into the modern day setting. Fantastic action and a good film for the whole family.
8. It's Complicated - A simple comedy, pure fun and entertainment with a great cast including Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. Light and easy to watch.
7. Law Abiding Citizen - A high octane action movie which has a lot of violence but is very watchable.
6. The Blind Side - A nice as pie film based on the true life events of an American family when they take in a homeless boy. Sandra Bullock won the Oscar in 2010 for this film - and it's a great watch which leaves you feeling really positive.
5. 2012 - Pure spectacle in a disaster movie, where the action packed special effects are entertaining in themselves.
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - The first film in the Millennium Trilogy with graphic violence and a sprawling length, but great suspense in a dark crime drama.
3. Shutter Island - An enticing and engaging thriller that tells the story of an investigation into the disappearance of of a murderess from an island's fortress like hospital. Twists, turns and great suspense.
2. Avatar - Very impressive technically with incredible special effects and a simple plot. Classic storytelling which is wholly entertaining.
and in the top spot......
1. Sherlock Holmes - Superb chemistry from the two main characters ensure that this high action take on a legendary character is fabulous entertainment. If you haven't seen it yet it's a must see that will please the whole family.
So there you have it...the top films from The Hub last year. We'll be expanding the range of movies available even more over the coming months, with some amazing titles due to be released in 2011.
10. Clash of the Titans - all out action in this re-make of the classic 1981 film. Enjoyable to watch for the whole family, although younger children may find some scenes a little scary.
9. Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief - Based on the popular book series this film is all about Greek mythology brought into the modern day setting. Fantastic action and a good film for the whole family.
8. It's Complicated - A simple comedy, pure fun and entertainment with a great cast including Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. Light and easy to watch.
7. Law Abiding Citizen - A high octane action movie which has a lot of violence but is very watchable.
6. The Blind Side - A nice as pie film based on the true life events of an American family when they take in a homeless boy. Sandra Bullock won the Oscar in 2010 for this film - and it's a great watch which leaves you feeling really positive.
5. 2012 - Pure spectacle in a disaster movie, where the action packed special effects are entertaining in themselves.
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - The first film in the Millennium Trilogy with graphic violence and a sprawling length, but great suspense in a dark crime drama.
3. Shutter Island - An enticing and engaging thriller that tells the story of an investigation into the disappearance of of a murderess from an island's fortress like hospital. Twists, turns and great suspense.
2. Avatar - Very impressive technically with incredible special effects and a simple plot. Classic storytelling which is wholly entertaining.
and in the top spot......
1. Sherlock Holmes - Superb chemistry from the two main characters ensure that this high action take on a legendary character is fabulous entertainment. If you haven't seen it yet it's a must see that will please the whole family.
So there you have it...the top films from The Hub last year. We'll be expanding the range of movies available even more over the coming months, with some amazing titles due to be released in 2011.
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
What a funny time of year...
This time in between Christmas and New Year needs a name of it's own. It's not quite Christmas, not quite New Year, just a kind of middle ground. Some people have taken extended holidays, whilst others are back to the grindstone after a brief break.
I think that a lot of us still feel very much in the party mood, and work, although quieter for lots of us, offers a good distraction from the excesses of Christmas.
The good news is that this means that many of us can spend our evenings (or days if we are lucky enough to be off) catching up with some of the years best films. Some of our top titles of the year have included Sherlock Holmes, Avatar, Shutter Island, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and 2012.
Children and families alike have enjoyed Toy Story 3, How to Train Your Dragon, Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief, Nanny McPhee & the Big Bang and The Sorcerer's Apprentice. We've also got some great World Cinema options such as Heartbreakers, Lebanon and MicMacs.
New Releases this week include The Last Exorcism, Jonah Hex and the popular Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. We also have some great December releases in store, such as Knight & Day, The Last Airbender, Eclipse and Inception. So if you didn't get one of the top titles from 2010 in your stocking this year why not pop in to catch up on some fabulous films.
We are business as usual today and tomorrow and will be closing early on New Year's Eve. We'll be offering 4 films for £10 on December 31st, and the great news is you get to keep hold of them until 6th January so start 2011 with a fabulous film fest!
I think that a lot of us still feel very much in the party mood, and work, although quieter for lots of us, offers a good distraction from the excesses of Christmas.
The good news is that this means that many of us can spend our evenings (or days if we are lucky enough to be off) catching up with some of the years best films. Some of our top titles of the year have included Sherlock Holmes, Avatar, Shutter Island, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and 2012.
Children and families alike have enjoyed Toy Story 3, How to Train Your Dragon, Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief, Nanny McPhee & the Big Bang and The Sorcerer's Apprentice. We've also got some great World Cinema options such as Heartbreakers, Lebanon and MicMacs.
New Releases this week include The Last Exorcism, Jonah Hex and the popular Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. We also have some great December releases in store, such as Knight & Day, The Last Airbender, Eclipse and Inception. So if you didn't get one of the top titles from 2010 in your stocking this year why not pop in to catch up on some fabulous films.
We are business as usual today and tomorrow and will be closing early on New Year's Eve. We'll be offering 4 films for £10 on December 31st, and the great news is you get to keep hold of them until 6th January so start 2011 with a fabulous film fest!
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Keep Calm and Carry On!
Are you panicking about Christmas yet? With adverse weather affecting much of the UK deliveries are being delayed and it’s difficult for many of us to get put and about to go shopping. Well don’t worry too much – we have a great selection of gifts for men, women and children at The Hub in Dunblane High Street to make sure you can keep calm and carry on this Christmas.
Our pick of the top gifts available are:
For Men
Urban Bar Cubana Champagne Flutes – These beautiful glasses are the must have in contemporary elegance. Gleneagles Hotel uses this stemware when serving champagne in the hotel’s main bar. Buy a set of two for just £19.95. Large Red Wine glasses are also available at £21.00 for a set of two, or why not enjoy a G&T in one of the Cubana Double Old Fashioned glasses at just £14.00 per pair.
Dolci Colline Prosecco – A light refreshing tipple perfect for Christmas Day. This is shop owner Helen’s preferred tipple and sure to be a hit, particularly if combined with the Cubana Champagne Flutes as a gift. £9.75 per bottle.
For Boys
Star Wars Lightsaber Room Light - The final challenge in becoming a Jedi Knight is to build your own lightsaber. With the Lightsaber room light young Padawans can construct their own Jedi Lightsaber and mount it on the wall. Choose from 8 awesome colour effects using the remote control. £25.99
Star Wars Death Star Planetarium – Explore the Star Wars galaxy like never before! Project the Star Wars Galaxy on your walls and ceilings and then project Earth’s night sky. Your darkened room will be transformed into an amazing planetarium. £22.99
Lego Brick Light – How to make a boring night light Awesome! Perfect for all Lego fans they are wall mountable, but can be removed to allow them to be carried around if you need mobile illumination – ideal for night time jaunts to the bathroom or kitchen. Available in red or blue for £9.99
For Girls
Rainbow in My Room – This projects a brilliant rainbow across your walls and ceiling and is a sure way to make any room a happier place. Features an Auto-shut off and 2 illumination modes. £19.99
Toy Story 3 Alien Freefall – Toy Story 3 inspired version of the Kerplunk game – perfect fun entertainment for the whole family. Recommended for ages 5+ select a coloured stock and give a gentle tug, but be careful not to let the aliens fall. £14.99
Club Penguin Puffle – Disney Club Penguin game has become an online phenomenon for children everywhere. These cute little plush puffles, which feature in the game as a club penguin pet, come in a variety of colours complete with a token which can be used online. Boys and Girls collect these, but the pink puffle is particularly favoured by girls. £6.50
If you want to see more, pictures of all these products are available on our facebook page www.facebook.com/gadgethub
Our pick of the top gifts available are:
For Men
Kymera Magic Wand – This magical buttonless remote control took Dragon’s Den by storm just a few months ago. The must-have gadget for men this Christmas. Available exclusively within Dunblane at Gadget Hub £49.99
Motormouse Wireless Mouse – This mini-Porsche wireless mouse appeared on Dragon’s Den in 2009. Superbly stylish and a must have for every desk. We’d recommend the black, silver or red for men. £29.99
Pass the Popcorn Movie Trivia Game – 2 games are included to create a perfect evening of entertainment for all film buffs out there. Suitable for Ages 12+ you can include the whole family in fast paced movie fun. £10.99
For Women
Motormouse Wireless Mouse – This stylish wireless Porsche shaped mouse is available in Pink too for all the gadget girlies out there. £29.99
Motormouse Wireless Mouse – This mini-Porsche wireless mouse appeared on Dragon’s Den in 2009. Superbly stylish and a must have for every desk. We’d recommend the black, silver or red for men. £29.99
Pass the Popcorn Movie Trivia Game – 2 games are included to create a perfect evening of entertainment for all film buffs out there. Suitable for Ages 12+ you can include the whole family in fast paced movie fun. £10.99
For Women
Motormouse Wireless Mouse – This stylish wireless Porsche shaped mouse is available in Pink too for all the gadget girlies out there. £29.99
Urban Bar Cubana Champagne Flutes – These beautiful glasses are the must have in contemporary elegance. Gleneagles Hotel uses this stemware when serving champagne in the hotel’s main bar. Buy a set of two for just £19.95. Large Red Wine glasses are also available at £21.00 for a set of two, or why not enjoy a G&T in one of the Cubana Double Old Fashioned glasses at just £14.00 per pair. Dolci Colline Prosecco – A light refreshing tipple perfect for Christmas Day. This is shop owner Helen’s preferred tipple and sure to be a hit, particularly if combined with the Cubana Champagne Flutes as a gift. £9.75 per bottle.
For Boys
Star Wars Lightsaber Room Light - The final challenge in becoming a Jedi Knight is to build your own lightsaber. With the Lightsaber room light young Padawans can construct their own Jedi Lightsaber and mount it on the wall. Choose from 8 awesome colour effects using the remote control. £25.99
Star Wars Death Star Planetarium – Explore the Star Wars galaxy like never before! Project the Star Wars Galaxy on your walls and ceilings and then project Earth’s night sky. Your darkened room will be transformed into an amazing planetarium. £22.99
Lego Brick Light – How to make a boring night light Awesome! Perfect for all Lego fans they are wall mountable, but can be removed to allow them to be carried around if you need mobile illumination – ideal for night time jaunts to the bathroom or kitchen. Available in red or blue for £9.99
For Girls
Rainbow in My Room – This projects a brilliant rainbow across your walls and ceiling and is a sure way to make any room a happier place. Features an Auto-shut off and 2 illumination modes. £19.99
Toy Story 3 Alien Freefall – Toy Story 3 inspired version of the Kerplunk game – perfect fun entertainment for the whole family. Recommended for ages 5+ select a coloured stock and give a gentle tug, but be careful not to let the aliens fall. £14.99
Club Penguin Puffle – Disney Club Penguin game has become an online phenomenon for children everywhere. These cute little plush puffles, which feature in the game as a club penguin pet, come in a variety of colours complete with a token which can be used online. Boys and Girls collect these, but the pink puffle is particularly favoured by girls. £6.50
If you want to see more, pictures of all these products are available on our facebook page www.facebook.com/gadgethub
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Snow Business
It's been a very challenging week or two for the people who live and work in and around Dunblane. This weather has been testing even the most resilient of us!
Throughout it all we have managed to stay open at Gadget Hub, albeit operating reduced hours. We even managed to open for a few hours on Sunday as promised. Deliveries are proving to be problematic, but fortunately we had pre-ordered much of our Christmas stock so are managing to supply the town with toys, collectables and independent wines. The latest releases have been delayed, but with over 1600 titles available in the shop you are bound to find a movie that suits your mood.
Our planned opening hours during this adverse weather are:
Midweek 10am - 4pm
Friday/Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 12.30 - 4pm
If in doubt call us on 07725 161 837 or e-mail us shop@mygadgethub.co.uk before heading out in the cold.
We are also updating our facebook page regularly with the latest news at www.facebook.com/gadgethub
Throughout it all we have managed to stay open at Gadget Hub, albeit operating reduced hours. We even managed to open for a few hours on Sunday as promised. Deliveries are proving to be problematic, but fortunately we had pre-ordered much of our Christmas stock so are managing to supply the town with toys, collectables and independent wines. The latest releases have been delayed, but with over 1600 titles available in the shop you are bound to find a movie that suits your mood.
Our planned opening hours during this adverse weather are:
Midweek 10am - 4pm
Friday/Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 12.30 - 4pm
If in doubt call us on 07725 161 837 or e-mail us shop@mygadgethub.co.uk before heading out in the cold.
We are also updating our facebook page regularly with the latest news at www.facebook.com/gadgethub
Friday, 26 November 2010
Friday Cocktails!
Thank goodness Friday is finally here. We love this day of the week and the Friday Feeling of anticipation for the weekend is catching. A lot of people enjoy a drink over the weekend, so we thought it might be nice to share some of our favourite Cocktail recipes with you, just in time for the Festive Season.
The weather outside has turned very frosty, with temperatures plumeting. Fortunately as Christmas is just around the corner we have the most wonderful excuse to start making Mulled Wine or Gluhwein.
The Gadget Hub Gluhwein recipe is:
1 cinnamon stick
6 cloves
1 bottle of red wine (we recommend Namaqua Soft & Fruity Red only £4.99)
30ml port (try our Krohn LBV port for £13.75)
1 tablespoon sugar
lemon & orange, thinly sliced
Combine cinnamon, cloves, wine, port, sugar and lemon/orange in a heavy based pan. Heat gently without boiling. Serve warm; do not strain.
The Gadget Hub Champagne Cocktail recipe is:
1 sugar cube
dash bitters
15ml brandy
chilled champagne (We recommend J.M.Gremillet at just £17.50 or why not use our Dolci Colline Prosecco at £9.75)
Place the sugar cube in a champagne flute. Add a dash of bitters and then the brandy. Slowly top up with champagne. Delicious!
TOP TIP: When making chilled cocktails pop your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before starting. You can also dip the rim of the glass in lemon juice and then in sugar for a nice frosting effect.
For the kids, drivers or non-drinkers why not consider the non-alcoholic classic Shirley Temple.
The Gadget Hub Shirley Temple recipe is:
dash of grenadine
lemonade
ginger ale
Place some ice in a highball glass and add a dash of grenadice. Fill to the top with equal measures of lemonade and ginger ale.
Enjoy your Friday Night!
The weather outside has turned very frosty, with temperatures plumeting. Fortunately as Christmas is just around the corner we have the most wonderful excuse to start making Mulled Wine or Gluhwein.
The Gadget Hub Gluhwein recipe is:
1 cinnamon stick
6 cloves
1 bottle of red wine (we recommend Namaqua Soft & Fruity Red only £4.99)
30ml port (try our Krohn LBV port for £13.75)
1 tablespoon sugar
lemon & orange, thinly sliced
Combine cinnamon, cloves, wine, port, sugar and lemon/orange in a heavy based pan. Heat gently without boiling. Serve warm; do not strain.
The festive season always needs a bit of Sparkle - there are lots of different ways to use Champagne or Sparkling wine in cocktails, but our personal favourite is the Champagne Cocktail.
The Gadget Hub Champagne Cocktail recipe is:
1 sugar cube
dash bitters
15ml brandy
chilled champagne (We recommend J.M.Gremillet at just £17.50 or why not use our Dolci Colline Prosecco at £9.75)
Place the sugar cube in a champagne flute. Add a dash of bitters and then the brandy. Slowly top up with champagne. Delicious!
TOP TIP: When making chilled cocktails pop your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before starting. You can also dip the rim of the glass in lemon juice and then in sugar for a nice frosting effect.
For the kids, drivers or non-drinkers why not consider the non-alcoholic classic Shirley Temple.
The Gadget Hub Shirley Temple recipe is:
dash of grenadine
lemonade
ginger ale
Place some ice in a highball glass and add a dash of grenadice. Fill to the top with equal measures of lemonade and ginger ale.
Enjoy your Friday Night!
Monday, 22 November 2010
Stocking Fillers for 2010
Where does the time go! We all know how busy we get in the run-up to Christmas Day and it's easy to forget about the all essential Stocking Fillers. We've created our guide to the top 10 Stocking Filler Gifts available at Gadget Hub in Dunblane to help make sure you don't miss out on the smaller must-have items for this year!
1. Disney Club Penguin Puffle - these are the cute fluffy pets of penguins in the ever popular Disney Club Penguin online game. Great for boys and girls we have a great selection in stock including the 4" puffles at £6.50 or the 2" keychain puffles at £3.99.
The puffles come in a variety of colours with different facial expressions making them the perfect collectable cuddly toy.
2. Littlest Pet Shop LED Keychains - Girls love to collect the LPS range of characters and these LED light-up keychains are excellent for stocking fillers at just £4.99. With 4 designs to choose from they can clip onto most bags or backpacks, or even be added to a coat to create a funky zip pull.
3. Party Animals - Ideal for little girls this christmas these are collectable bears who come with interchangeable outfits. Priced at £1.99 for individual foil packs or £3.49 for a 2 pack. These little bears come with a string that can be attached to bags, coat zips, DS consoles or phones.
4. Lego LED Key Lights - Perfect for boys the lego characters come in 4 different designs for you to collect, priced at £5.99 for the simple Lego Man Key Light or £6.99 for the various Lego City Men Key Lights. These are fabulously bright, making them ideal to hang off a schoolbag during the winter months, and the perfect size to squeeze into a stocking.
5. Lego Playmat Zipbins - Every parent knows what it's like to get out of bed in the morning only to step painfully onto a piece of Lego left lying around. This playmat zipbin will make sure that kids can keep their Lego together in one place. Shaped like a Lego mans head, it cleverly unzips to create a perfect playmat. Priced at £9.99 it's a great stocking filler that's sure to please the kids - and mum & dad too!
6. Mighty Beanz - These collectable beanz are great for boys and girls alike. Available from just £1 for an individual foil pack, or at £2.99 for a 3 pack, which may contain one of the rare small beanz. Great size for stocking fillers - and a collectors case is also available priced at £9.99 to store all the beanz safely.
7. Superstars Gogo's - The latest design from Gogo's Crazy Bones - these little critters come in a new flocked coating complete with a little brick shaped home. Priced at £1.99 they are great fillers for boys and girls. The Gold Series is also available in store at £8.99 for the set, including collector tin.
8. Star Wars Force Attax Cards - The majority of boys (and a few men) absolutely love the Star Wars series. Star Wars Force Attax are a collectable set, priced at just 50p for a pack of 5 cards. With over 190 different designs to collect, why not pick up a collectors pack to for £4.99 which comes complete with a special binder to store all the cards.
9. Club Penguin Card-Jitsu Water Cards - Due to be released on 26th November, these are the latest in the series to complement the Disney Club Penguin game. Individual Packs priced at £1 come with 6 cards, 1 code card and 1 sticker sheet. Collectors Packs priced at £4.99 and Collector Tins priced at £9.99 will also be available in store. Great for boys and girls!
10. Silly Bandz - Collected by boys and girls these shaped rubber band bracelets have been the must-have trend for 2010. Priced at £3.99 for a pack of 24, there are lots of designs to collect. Perfect size and price to include in everyones Christmas Stocking this year.
So that's our round up for you! If you want to order any of the great stocking fillers we've reviewed simply e-mail us at shop@mygadgethub.co.uk or call us on 07725 161 837. Payment can be taken over the phone and we can post throughout the UK - or simply reserve to collect at store.
1. Disney Club Penguin Puffle - these are the cute fluffy pets of penguins in the ever popular Disney Club Penguin online game. Great for boys and girls we have a great selection in stock including the 4" puffles at £6.50 or the 2" keychain puffles at £3.99.
2. Littlest Pet Shop LED Keychains - Girls love to collect the LPS range of characters and these LED light-up keychains are excellent for stocking fillers at just £4.99. With 4 designs to choose from they can clip onto most bags or backpacks, or even be added to a coat to create a funky zip pull.
5. Lego Playmat Zipbins - Every parent knows what it's like to get out of bed in the morning only to step painfully onto a piece of Lego left lying around. This playmat zipbin will make sure that kids can keep their Lego together in one place. Shaped like a Lego mans head, it cleverly unzips to create a perfect playmat. Priced at £9.99 it's a great stocking filler that's sure to please the kids - and mum & dad too!
7. Superstars Gogo's - The latest design from Gogo's Crazy Bones - these little critters come in a new flocked coating complete with a little brick shaped home. Priced at £1.99 they are great fillers for boys and girls. The Gold Series is also available in store at £8.99 for the set, including collector tin.
8. Star Wars Force Attax Cards - The majority of boys (and a few men) absolutely love the Star Wars series. Star Wars Force Attax are a collectable set, priced at just 50p for a pack of 5 cards. With over 190 different designs to collect, why not pick up a collectors pack to for £4.99 which comes complete with a special binder to store all the cards.
So that's our round up for you! If you want to order any of the great stocking fillers we've reviewed simply e-mail us at shop@mygadgethub.co.uk or call us on 07725 161 837. Payment can be taken over the phone and we can post throughout the UK - or simply reserve to collect at store.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Independent Wines by the Case
I know that a lot of you enjoyed our wine tasting last week, so by popular demand below are the details of the festive cases we've put together for you.
Simply Wine Case
6 bottle case £35 – equivalent bottle price of £5.83
12 bottle case £65 – equivalent bottle price of £5.41
Primo Prosecco - Italy – A soft sparkling wine with a light citrus finish and gentle fizz.
Cape Mountain Sauvignon Blanc – South Africa – Refreshing and unoaked fruity white
Mirabello Pinot Grigio – Italy – A fresh dry white with gentle floral and citrus aromas
Seppelt Unoaked Chardonnay – Australia – Medium bodied, bright fresh and enticing
Val de Salis Merlot – France – A well balanced wine with rich cherry aromas
Tolva Cabernet Sauvignon – Chile – Intense fruity full flavoured red
Wine Lovers Case
6 bottle case £50 – equivalent bottle price of £8.33
12 bottle case £95 – equivalent bottle price of 7.91
Prosecco Le Dolci Colline – Italy – Shop owner Helen’s favourite! Light and creamy fizz
Fairhills Chenin Blanc - Chardonnay – South Africa – Fairtrade refreshing fruity white
Chablis La Colombe- France – Classic Chablis with creamy fruit and rich buttery sensations
Kuki Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand – Passion fruit and gooseberry aromas
Vina Paceta Rioja – Spain – Vibrant, potent, fresh and balanced
Wolf Blass Bilyara Shiraz – Australia – Medium bodied wine with spicy fruit flavours
World Explorers Case
12 bottle case £80.00 – equivalent bottle price of £6.66
Prosecco le Dolci Colline – Italy - Shop owner Helen’s favourite! Light and creamy fizz
Le Charme Sauvignon Blanc – France – Refreshing and quenching on the palate
Mirabello Pinot Grigio – Italy – A fresh dry white with gentle floral and citrus aromas
Finca El Picador Chardonnay – Chile – Full of citrus with an almond aftertaste
ARA Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand – Dry and aromatic with clean finish
Niel Joubert Chenin Blanc – South Africa – A luscious white wine with fruit finish
Chateau Berjuquey Bordeaux Claret – France – Fresh fruity aroma, intense plum, dry finish.
Rioja Lanzado Joven – Spain – Produced in the first Bio-climatic vineyard in Europe, fruity
Chianti Castello di Gabbiano –Italy – Bold Tuscan red from the Sangiovese grape
Santa Luisa Malbec - Argentina – A pleasant softly tannic red wine, spicy undertones
Anakena Cabernet Sauvignon – Chile – Smooth on the palate with cherry and spice aromas
Cockburns 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port – Portugal¬ – Full and fruity port with a long finish
Sparkling Sensation
6 bottle case £69.00
Pink of Yellowglen x 2 – Australia – Excellent fun sparkling wine
Prosecco Le Dolci Colline x 3 – Italy –Light and creamy fizz with vanilla undertones
Champagne Marie Stuart NV x 1 – France – Named after Mary Queen of Scots, elegant and refined champagne that rivals many of the famous champagne houses
We can also put together a case of your choice - simply drop into the shop or e-mail us shop@mygadgethub.co.uk for details - and we offer free delivery around the Dunblane area. Orders for Christmas are being taken now.
Simply Wine Case
6 bottle case £35 – equivalent bottle price of £5.83
12 bottle case £65 – equivalent bottle price of £5.41
Primo Prosecco - Italy – A soft sparkling wine with a light citrus finish and gentle fizz.
Cape Mountain Sauvignon Blanc – South Africa – Refreshing and unoaked fruity white
Mirabello Pinot Grigio – Italy – A fresh dry white with gentle floral and citrus aromas
Seppelt Unoaked Chardonnay – Australia – Medium bodied, bright fresh and enticing
Val de Salis Merlot – France – A well balanced wine with rich cherry aromas
Tolva Cabernet Sauvignon – Chile – Intense fruity full flavoured red
Wine Lovers Case
6 bottle case £50 – equivalent bottle price of £8.33
12 bottle case £95 – equivalent bottle price of 7.91
Prosecco Le Dolci Colline – Italy – Shop owner Helen’s favourite! Light and creamy fizz
Fairhills Chenin Blanc - Chardonnay – South Africa – Fairtrade refreshing fruity white
Chablis La Colombe- France – Classic Chablis with creamy fruit and rich buttery sensations
Kuki Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand – Passion fruit and gooseberry aromas
Vina Paceta Rioja – Spain – Vibrant, potent, fresh and balanced
Wolf Blass Bilyara Shiraz – Australia – Medium bodied wine with spicy fruit flavours
World Explorers Case
12 bottle case £80.00 – equivalent bottle price of £6.66
Prosecco le Dolci Colline – Italy - Shop owner Helen’s favourite! Light and creamy fizz
Le Charme Sauvignon Blanc – France – Refreshing and quenching on the palate
Mirabello Pinot Grigio – Italy – A fresh dry white with gentle floral and citrus aromas
Finca El Picador Chardonnay – Chile – Full of citrus with an almond aftertaste
ARA Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand – Dry and aromatic with clean finish
Niel Joubert Chenin Blanc – South Africa – A luscious white wine with fruit finish
Chateau Berjuquey Bordeaux Claret – France – Fresh fruity aroma, intense plum, dry finish.
Rioja Lanzado Joven – Spain – Produced in the first Bio-climatic vineyard in Europe, fruity
Chianti Castello di Gabbiano –Italy – Bold Tuscan red from the Sangiovese grape
Santa Luisa Malbec - Argentina – A pleasant softly tannic red wine, spicy undertones
Anakena Cabernet Sauvignon – Chile – Smooth on the palate with cherry and spice aromas
Cockburns 2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port – Portugal¬ – Full and fruity port with a long finish
Sparkling Sensation
6 bottle case £69.00
Pink of Yellowglen x 2 – Australia – Excellent fun sparkling wine
Prosecco Le Dolci Colline x 3 – Italy –Light and creamy fizz with vanilla undertones
Champagne Marie Stuart NV x 1 – France – Named after Mary Queen of Scots, elegant and refined champagne that rivals many of the famous champagne houses
We can also put together a case of your choice - simply drop into the shop or e-mail us shop@mygadgethub.co.uk for details - and we offer free delivery around the Dunblane area. Orders for Christmas are being taken now.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Festive Sparkle
Well now that fireworks night is past we are officially allowed to mention the "C" word....Christmas! In order to get your party season off to a bang we'll be hosting a Wine Tasting evening in the shop on Thursday 11th November from 4pm - 8pm.
Our experts will be on hand to answer any questions you have about our selection of Independent Wines. We will also have some of the wines that feature in our Pre-selected cases for you to try - these include the "Simply Wine Case", the "Wine Lovers Case" and our "World Explorers Case".
Gez and I will be around to help you with your purchases, and to tell you more about the wines we like the best, especially our "Sparkling Sensation" case which we personally designed for the festive season.
Are you looking for wine as a gift without any hassle factor? We also offer 2 bottle gift boxes which start at just £12.50 for our Chilean set. If you are looking to splash out a bit more then our Sparkling & Flute sets are fantastic at £25.00 for our Prosecco set or £45 for our Champagne set - all packaged and ready to present to a loved one this Christmas.
So for the best of independent wines from a local shop, just pop along to see us and we'll help solve your wine dilemas this Christmas.
Our experts will be on hand to answer any questions you have about our selection of Independent Wines. We will also have some of the wines that feature in our Pre-selected cases for you to try - these include the "Simply Wine Case", the "Wine Lovers Case" and our "World Explorers Case".
Gez and I will be around to help you with your purchases, and to tell you more about the wines we like the best, especially our "Sparkling Sensation" case which we personally designed for the festive season.
Are you looking for wine as a gift without any hassle factor? We also offer 2 bottle gift boxes which start at just £12.50 for our Chilean set. If you are looking to splash out a bit more then our Sparkling & Flute sets are fantastic at £25.00 for our Prosecco set or £45 for our Champagne set - all packaged and ready to present to a loved one this Christmas.
So for the best of independent wines from a local shop, just pop along to see us and we'll help solve your wine dilemas this Christmas.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Lego Lands in Dunblane!
We have some fantastic new products that have arrived in store this month. Lots of great toys picked exclusively for you in Dunblane by our 7yr Old Toy Director -Jake.
Lego is the coolest thing around for kids at the moment and Jake has gone to town with his Lego choices for the shop. Keeping gadgets very much in mind we have chosen the must-have Lego electronics. This includes 4 different designs of LED Keychain Lights - priced at £5.99 for the plain Lego Man or £6.99 for the larger more detailed City Lego Men.
We've also introduced a limited number of Large Lego Man Dynamo Torches - where you simply wind the arm to generate a charge, which is stored until you press the button on his tummy.
Lego is the coolest thing around for kids at the moment and Jake has gone to town with his Lego choices for the shop. Keeping gadgets very much in mind we have chosen the must-have Lego electronics. This includes 4 different designs of LED Keychain Lights - priced at £5.99 for the plain Lego Man or £6.99 for the larger more detailed City Lego Men.
The item that has caused most excitement are the Lego Star Wars Ballpoint Pens. The combination of a classic film and classic toy produces a must-have stocking filler this year - priced at £5.99 and available in 4 different designs.
Of course when you have finished playing with your Lego there is only one place to keep it all - in your Lego head zip bin of course! These are also available in store, alongside the Lego Brick Light and other toys and collectables. So pop into Gadget Hub to see what gifts and stocking fillers we have to suit your needs this year. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gadgethub to make sure you keep up to date with the latest in kids trends and other goings on online!
Friday, 1 October 2010
Top Titles for September
September has been another busy month for us here at the Gadget Hub in Dunblane. Can you believe that we've been on the High Street now for 6 months!
Alongside these we have some great new titles in our recommended section and some excellent World Cinema movies that are sure to keep you and your family entertained!
Top 10 DVD Titles this month have been:
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- Kick-Ass
- Shutter Island
- The Blind Side
- Robin Hood
- Prince of Persia
- Four Lions
- Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
- Green Zone
- Hot Tub Time Machine
Our Blu-ray titles are also becoming more popular as people update their home entertainment systems. Top 5 Blu-ray Rentals for September were:
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- Clash of the Titans
- Sherlock Holmes
- Prince of Persia
- The Blind Side
In October, as you would imagine, there will be a lot of Horror Movies released. Our pic of these include Frozen, 30 Days of Night: Dark Days (the much awaited follow up to the 1st film), 13 Hrs and the re-make of classic horror Nightmare on Elm Street!
Alongside these we have some great new titles in our recommended section and some excellent World Cinema movies that are sure to keep you and your family entertained!
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Magic for Muggles
Arthur C. Clarke’s third law: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”For all you Harry Potter would be's out there mystical magic can now be performed by us mere muggles (people with non magical ability according to JK Rowling)!
The Kymera Magic Wand was recently featured on BBC's Dragons' Den, where Duncan Bannatyne bravely fought off offers from the other 4 dragons to secure a deal.
It's magical ability to control gadgetry within your home is a real wonder to behold. Anything that uses infra-red technology can be controlled with the magic wand, so now with a simple swish of your hand you can open and close blinds, change TV channels or even pause live television.
This must have gadget has been reviewed on BBC's "Something for the Weekend", Channel 5's "The Gadget Show" as well as too many gadget blog and tech websites to mention.
Utterly astounding this is a beautifully crafted gizmo that is oh so simple to use. Straight away the quality that exudes from this product is impressive. From the white cardboard carton, to the faux dragon skin and red brocade silk lined box, even the instructions are beautifully presented as a folded parchment. The wand itself is weighty and supernaturally pulses to let you know that it is ready to learn, and after about 10 - 15 minutes practice you are ready to train it. You can assign various functions to to various moves, flick to change tracks, spin to turn up volume, swish to dramatically turn on etc. Before you know it you'll be using one of the 13 predefined gestures to mystically control all the gadgetry around you.
This is the remote control for all confirmed gadgeteers out there! In Dunblane it is exclusively available at Gadget Hub for only £49.99 - pop in to see us demonstrate it and have a magical Halloween!
200 years ago you would have been burned at the stake for displaying this kind of witchery, but then you wouldn't have had a 50" Plasma to show it off!
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Gadget Man
I know that a lot of you are aware of many of the services we offer in the Gadget Hub in Dunblane - the main thing being DVD rental. However, we have our own resident Gadget Man, Gerard Gourley, who regularly writes for local publication The Wire.
Gerard is working hard fixing the towns IT problems, including laptop/desktop repair, IT troubleshooting and generally getting your home techonology to talk to each other. One of the best services we offer is our laptop/desktop healthcheck, which is available instore at just £39.99. The Gadget Man will put your technology through its paces and ensure it is working to the best of its ability. He can also make recommendations for any updates required to help you get the most out of it. He can offer general advice from anti-virus and fraud prevention online through to parental controls - or simply which computer to buy next...
So the next time you feel like throwing your computer out the window due to sheer frustration....just stop, take a deep breath and call down to the Gadget Man to help you out.
Gerard is working hard fixing the towns IT problems, including laptop/desktop repair, IT troubleshooting and generally getting your home techonology to talk to each other. One of the best services we offer is our laptop/desktop healthcheck, which is available instore at just £39.99. The Gadget Man will put your technology through its paces and ensure it is working to the best of its ability. He can also make recommendations for any updates required to help you get the most out of it. He can offer general advice from anti-virus and fraud prevention online through to parental controls - or simply which computer to buy next...
So the next time you feel like throwing your computer out the window due to sheer frustration....just stop, take a deep breath and call down to the Gadget Man to help you out.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Wine Special Offer for September
Our special offer where you can buy 2 x Tolva wines for only £10.00 has been a fantastic success throughout August.
For the month of September we are offering you an amazing deal on one of the UK's most popular wines. Our ARA Marlborough 2008 Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand normally retails at £9.39. However for this month we can offer you it for only £7.99 a bottle, a fantastic saving.
For the month of September we are offering you an amazing deal on one of the UK's most popular wines. Our ARA Marlborough 2008 Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand normally retails at £9.39. However for this month we can offer you it for only £7.99 a bottle, a fantastic saving.
The purest distillation of Ara’s brand philosophy yet, ARA Marlborough wines have been hand selected from grapes across the vineyard, finely crafted to offer a balance between the renowned Marlborough fruity vivaciousness and the elegance and texture for which Ara is becoming internationally recognised.
A bottle from this Award Winning vinyard is a must for your evening in, and as it's a bank holiday we've decided to start this promotion early to make sure you can make the most of your long weekend.
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Top Ten Films
We've been in business now for 5 months, and are learning more and more about the type of films our customers love to watch.
In this time we've added a World Cinema section - with fantastic titles such as "Lemon Tree" and "A Prophet". We've also introduced a Most Recommended section, full of fantastic titles including "Taken", "Derailed" and "Casablanca", to name a few.
Big name titles are still our most popular type of film, so I've compiled for you a list of our Top Ten Most Watched Films since we opened:
In this time we've added a World Cinema section - with fantastic titles such as "Lemon Tree" and "A Prophet". We've also introduced a Most Recommended section, full of fantastic titles including "Taken", "Derailed" and "Casablanca", to name a few.
Big name titles are still our most popular type of film, so I've compiled for you a list of our Top Ten Most Watched Films since we opened:
- Sherlock Holmes
- Avatar
- 2012
- Law Abiding Citizen
- It's Complicated
- The Men Who Stare at Goats
- Did You Hear About the Morgans
- Alice in Wonderland
- The Lovely Bones
- Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief
It's free to become a member and films cost only £3.00 per night, so why not drop in and see if we have your personal favourites here.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Tolva - Two for only £10.00
For the month of August we have been running a special offer on our Tolva range of wines. During this time you can get any 2 bottles for only £10.00 (normally £5.99 each).
This is a fantastic offer no matter what kind of wine you like to drink. With a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon a Rose or a Sauvignon Blanc all included in the offer. You can get two the same or mix and match - a great idea if you like different wines in your house.
Pop into see the other wines available in store, including our fair trade and organic selections.
This is a fantastic offer no matter what kind of wine you like to drink. With a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon a Rose or a Sauvignon Blanc all included in the offer. You can get two the same or mix and match - a great idea if you like different wines in your house.
Pop into see the other wines available in store, including our fair trade and organic selections.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Mighty Beanz
We've bean going crazy for Mighty Beanz in the Gadget Hub this week. We now have full stock of these collectable toys, suitable for all children aged 5+. As well as the individual packets, we now have a multitude of extra's to expand your collection.
There are over 100 Mighty Beanz to collect, including rare and ultra rare limitied edition characters. Each character is themed to belong in one of the teams, including Zoo Beanz, Pet Beanz, Fantasty Beanz and Baby Beanz (to name a few).
Special 3 packs and 6 packs of beans are available, which may include a Mega Bean - one of the ultra rare collectable beanz. There are also 1000 limited edition Moose Beanz to be found - the most exclusive of all the Series 1 Mighty Beanz.
There are a couple of ways to store your collected Mighty Beanz. The Flip-track - available in 3 different colours, each with a different trick bridge, doubles up as a carry case when folded in half. It's easy to clip onto a pocket or belt when going to play with friends and comes together with one special edition Mighty Beanz.
We also have the fantastic Slam n Smash track - perfect as a special gift with a difference. These are extremely hard to get hold of in the UK, but at the gadget hub we have stocked up.
A great way for friends to play with their collections together. Get ready to Slam it, Smash 'em and win! The ultimate race track which creates a new rolling race every time! It includes 2 Exclusive Beanz and everything you need to make your own tracks.
So pop into the shop and see what other fun collectables we have and how easily your children can be entertained throughout the rest of the summer holidays.
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