Toxteth’s VideOdyssey is offering to deliver ‘SOS nostalgia packs’ to cheer people up in isolation across Merseyside featuring classic movies and retro snacks.

The arts venue, which was dubbed ‘the UK’s last video shop’ by BBC Radio 4, has amassed a vast VHS archive of more than 10,000 tapes.

Owner Andy Johnson has set up a delivery service providing entertainment, food and essentials to people in self-isolation with symptoms of COVID-19.

The service, which Andy says will be reminiscent of the old ‘Video Van Man’ traders who used to drive through the streets of the city in the 80s, will deliver a package including a VCR, 10 VHS tapes and retro snacks.

Andy, 40, who lives in Toxteth says he feels worried the large number of single people who will have to self isolate might not have access to the internet or streaming services.

VideOdyssey is offering the service free to the over 70’s and Andy says many older people still have their old family movies on VHS tapes and need a player to watch them.

VideOdyssey is also offering to pick up essentials for people who can’t leave the house – to be delivered alongside their nostalgia packs.

Andy says: “This is a strange and worrying time for everybody. With all this uncertainty about what will happen with people self-isolating for weeks, I feel people might like to take comfort in a trip down memory lane.

“Nostalgia is a powerful medicine. In times of distress, it’s good to take solace in the simpler days of the past.

“We’re sitting on a mountain of hard copy films and TV shows and a fleet of VCRs. So if you find you’re having trouble with online streaming – you can get us to bring classic movies and snacks to you.

“I got the idea last week when I started noticing how worried everyone is getting – and rightly so. But I immediately thought of all the people who come to see us in the last two years and how so many commented on how nostalgia makes them feel better.

“How it works is we will deliver a nostalgia SOS pack to your door, ring the bell and stand back to a safe distance while you collect it in. We will then collect it 24 days later – or update your movie selection on request.

“You can send us a list of your five favourite film actors and we’ll bring 10 tapes, a player and retro goodies and even comics to make you feel better.

“We’ve all got to look after each other in the coming months. So if you’ve got some special requests for supplies, we can hook you up too.”

You can contact Andy via email on shop@videodyssey.com

Don’t forget to check out VideOdyssey’s Movie of the Month for March.

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