Endangered Species... the Local Model Shop?

[Bassman]

I couldn't see a topic on this (I assumed it would be in Modelling Chat). WIth the advent of easy online purchases and reviews of a good number of kits readily available. Who frequents them nowadays?

I go to Oxford once in a while and when I am there, I check out the Model Department in Boswells of Oxford (mostly Revell and Airfix, though I have seen the occasional Revell USA and other makes of kit in there).

I have seen too many Model Shops/Departments close over the years.

There was a model shop in the nearest small town many, many years ago, long gone. There was also a big Newsagent/Toy Shop with a few models, also long gone. More recently a big toy shop with a model area. Closed down once only to re-open with a reduced selection. Now a Library!

Aylesbury had Taylor and McKenna which subsequently became Beatties... long closed of course. There was also a Toy/Cycle Shop with a Model area. Also long gone.

Oxford had Howes Models, long ago moved out of town and I believe no longer selling kits.

I must admit to being a little bit of a "vulture" with these closures, as there were bargains to be had. I got a Tamiya 1/35 Dragon Wagon at almost half price when Beatties went. The local toy shop, on its first closure provided a 1/12 Tamiya Williams at half price. I think I managed a few more half price (or thereabouts) bargains from those and some of the other closures.

[T3hGuppy]

I still go to my local store in Poole regularly still like looking through all the kits.

On-line is much cheaper though.

[wappynutter]

My local model shop has transformed itself into an armoury....
Guns, swords, knifes, bows, crossbows etc....
They call it "big boys toys" along with RC choppers and cars...
It used to be full of all the latest kits and equipment then the old man died and his wife sold it to a couple of "young enthusiasts" interested in the hobbies side of "models and hobbies" written above the door..
R.I.P modelling past time.......

[Lee]

I still visit my LMS in Waterlooville, but the owner is a miserable sod and it's extremely hard to strike up a conversation with him, it's an uncomfortable experience shopping in there. Even though he has a great and varied range of kits though

[HobbyModeller]

There used to be nothing but then separate R/C shop and Train shops opened a year ago saying they stocked 'model kits' but really they didn't, thankfully 4 days ago model shop from a town market 20 miles or so away relocated to the city I live near, it's very local and such but stocks Tamiya, Humbrol and Vallejo paints as well as many different tools and has a second floor dedicated to kits from academy, Dragon, Revell, Airfix, Tamiya, Eduard and Miniart as the most numerous so thankfully I have been saved

[Paul]

My local shop in Birkenhead isn't the greatest.

My favourite one sort of local (hour away) is transport models in Preston.

[Coen]

I have three shops that are near by in the Halifax area, one is brand new and is trying to concentrate on the online side of business.
They gave me some free stuff at one of the model shows and asked me to write a review of it. AK stuff. I've never shopped there though.

The other two have been around for longer than I have.
I know the owners of both shops fairly well and they're great characters and modellers.
One of the shops (the only one that sells Vallejo products) sells SCUBA gear on one side of his shop and hobby stuff on the other.
He's a dive master so why not.
The other is the oldest hobby store in the city and has the best choices in materials and supplies.

I don't buy kits from either of them unfortunately.
They sell kits for $20 to $30 more than I can get them online. So I can't afford to buy them there as much as I would prefer it.

[UKscalemodeller]

There is an arts and crafts shop near wirk with a half decent section and there is a tiny selection is a toy shop in staffird center.

If I was brave enough I'd open one, but I dare not take the risk.

[ChubberLang]

I still go to my local store in Poole regularly still like looking through all the kits.

On-line is much cheaper though.

Is that Setchfields by any chance?

[McLeod]

Well I live on the outskirts of Folkestone, Kent. There used to be 2 great toy shops with a good model section, a couple of newsagent type places that had bits and bobs and then a dedicated hobby shop which sold everything the more advanced modeller would want, sadly now all we have is and arts and crafts type place which is good for paint brushes and basic tools, but not much else.
I'd have a half hour train journey at least, to get to a 'decent' model shop these days.

[Scruffy]

I just found out yesterday that the store I frequent might be closing, they are doing a month-by-month lease, and the owner said if things do not improve......It is too bad because otherwise I will have to travel to another state to get to a hobby shop. I do get stuff on line as well but he is very good about ordering stuff in for me, so I can just give him an order and then pick it up later in the week. Too bad, but seems to be the direction more and more local shops are going.

[alextheblue]

There's a couple of Hobbycraft stores nearby, but as everyone knows they are quite pricey don't hold the greatest of ranges. There's a family run department store in Windsor that has been there for years and they have a great toy section. Unfortunately they have scaled (forgive the pun) back the model section now and generally only keep Airfix and Humbrol with some Revell products. I was in my local Model Zone yesterday and couldn't believe how busy it was and it was sad to think that the only real UK nationwide model store will soon cease to be.

But I guess it's the old dilemma of convenience/cost versus specialist knowledge and being loyal to our high street. The Internet brings to mind one of my grand ads sayings that I never really understood - don't ever wish for something just in case you get it.

[Gav0909]

In the town I live in there is a craft/art shop that sells some kits, but mainly Airfix and mainly the cheaper more common ones, starter sets etc. They stock an ok range of Humbrol enamels but that's it paint wise. In Fort William (about 50 miles up the road) there is a toy shop that sells some kits, and has a better selection at better prices than the local shop, so when I am there I tend to have a browse, but I don't go often and its too far to go just for that shop.

In Edinburgh there is Wonderland models and I would pay the price they ask if I lived there, but at the moment I can only order online from them, which I do sometimes, but their flat £3 postage is often enough to make the 10% discount for buying online null and void.

[Thomo]

My LMS in Falkirk, has closed down after Hobby craft opened up, only good thing is he now works in hobby craft and the model selection has changing for the better.

Also have to agree with Lee, after being to Waterlooville on a course at Serco I went into the LMS in Waterlooville, the owner is a miserable sod and it's extremely hard to strike up a conversation with him, it's an uncomfortable experience shopping in there. Even though he has a great and varied range of kits though If I was down in the area again I would still go back in.

[Gav0909]

Thomo have you ever been into Wonderland Models? Next time your in Edinburgh head to Lothian Road (west end of Princes Street) and go into Wonderland Models, place is awesome!

[Lysion]

Thomo have you ever been into Wonderland Models? Next time your in Edinburgh head to Lothian Road (west end of Princes Street) and go into Wonderland Models, place is awesome!

I was in Edinburgh on vacation 2-3 years ago. When I go abroad I always check online if there is any model shop nearby and I found Wonderland Models! After walking through half the town (Why pay a taxi when you can walk for free ) I found it.

Model shops are rare in Sweden, only to be found in the biggest cities. That's why I always head into one when I go abroad.

[Daishi12]

I'm afraid to say that I have noticed a steady decline in the number of model shops in the UK from the mid-late 70's because at one stage in Cardiff there were about 4 decent model shops (Beatties, Bud Morgan and a few others) and now there is only Antics as a dedicated model/RC/hobbyist store with ToyRUs, Hobbycraft with small modelling sections.

I think that the main companies (Airfix, Revell, Matchbox etc) have to shoulder a lot of the blame because they didn't have the best business plans or foresight to keep the hobby in the public eye.

[muskegman]

I have been thinking of this myself for some time now. Most of the younger generation these days seem to prefer sitting in front of their XBox or Playstation or texting their friends on their cellphones. Some of the younger generation still do build models but nothing like what we did when I was growing up in England in the 70's. Most of my friends back then built some type of model whether it was a ship or tank or an aircraft. It seems technology has taken preference to the hands on building we used to do. I have also seen many model shops dissapear over the years and I do agree online sales have taken a huge bite out of the brick and mortar local hobby shop.

I have 2 young 13 year old nephews who I have tried to encourage to take up the hobby but i know for a fact they would rather play a game on their laptop and when given pocket money would rather buy a new game than buy a model.

Hopefully with good marketing aimed at the younger generation sales will increase keeping local shops alive, I hope.

Youtube and great forums like ours will bring back some recognition to the hobby and it seems to be working. I remain optimistic



Mark

[Bassman]

I suppose advertising has something to do with the situation. On the kids TV channels, there are adverts for various toys and games, but I don't seem to recall ever seeing anything associated with modelling. I presume the same is true with magazine and comics aimed at teenagers etc. The problem with modelling is that to an extent it is a rather insular hobby. To get to see it you need to get a hobby specific magazine. In Newsagents, the magazines do sometimes seem to be on an out of the way shelf.

A good Model Shop tends not to be on the High Street where there is a chance to have something in the window to attract a new modeller. The shops that do have a few models may not have someone behind the counter who is knowledgeable enough to give advice.

I must admit (even at my age), I would rather play a game on a console than make a model... most of the time anyway. A more permanent work space would be a definite encouragement I suppose...

[schweinhund227]

I go in my LHS and buy Glue and the Odd paints! And kicker for my C.A.

I don't buy kits from him as he sells double the price of what I find on line! And told him!

His shop is slowly turning ino a R/C heaven! Why not? Those guys Are richer than most of us anyway ! LOL



I don't mind waiting for a good kit to come to my door! At a fair price! It's the nature of the beast!
If they Can't addapt? Then good luck! My wallet does the talking now a days! Tired of paying for their new car!

[WebbyNZ]

I'm lucky that I have 2 places in the same city which is impressive considering the population here.
1 dedicated store whose prices unfortunatley cannot compare with the internet but I try and support them whereever possible and buy supplies off them quite often.

The other is technically a bookstore but they have a few shelves of model kits alongside some diecast, rail, and RC stuff and they recently allowed my local club to do a promotional display in the window to encourage more people to the club and the store. It has worked. In 3 months the club has gone from 6-8 regulars to about 18 people at the last meet and he wanst us to do another display before xmas as its been a great talking point and has moved stock for him. Not bad considering the owner knows almost nothing about models

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

I live in a small country called The Netherlands. We used to have a lot of modeling shops back in the 80ies...
One shop on each corner! A real modelers heaven back then!
But Now, when I'm short on stuff I need to order it online, and got to wait when it's going to be delivered...
Frustrating some time's, waiting several days and can't go to a hobbyshop.
Here in Holland this hobby is endagered for the youngsters prefer doing games and RC now...
I really hope that "old times" are coming back...