Dalek formerly not for sale now seeks new invasion point… er, home!

By John Freeman on July 19, 2020

After years of people asking “How much is that Dalek in the window”, a not for sale pepperpot peril residing in a shop Penzance, Cornwall, now very much is.

A Dalek that Penzance shop owners were forced to mark up as “not for sale” for years, now is! Photo: John Freeman

Collectibles store Steckfensters, located on Chapel Street, recently re-opened after Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions were listed. But the owners of this “bazaar of the bizarre” have, sadly, also announced the quirky store will be closing its doors for good in September… so a certain Skaroan needs a new home.

The Dalek, which has been in the shop’s window for years, is one of three fully-motorised Daleks built by local artist and sculptor Tom Leaper and the late Julian Greenwood-Penny using official plans from the BBC.

It carried a “Not for Sale” sign for years to put an end to people regularly asking its price.

Cornwall Live, which has a full photo feature on the store and its upcoming closure, reports owners of Steckfensters, retired nurse Zoe King and former agony aunt Julia Kamlish inherited it when they took over the business, seven years ago.

Before its long career guarding the shop window, the Dalek was also the mock mayor of Penzance in 2007.

Owners Zoe and Julia are hoping to secure at least £2000 for the Dalek.

• All enquiries about the Dalek should be made via the Steckfensters Facebook Page

• For photographs and more about this popular store that has been previously featured on national TV and newspapers, check out this article on Cornwall Live

With thanks to Mary Freeman for first spotting this on Photo Journalist Greg Martin’s Facebook Page

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.