Do model shops still exist?
Discussion
Are 'classic' model shops still out there on the high streets, or have they been kicked out by online shops?
I only ask as since I re-started my model kit hobby very recently, I can't seem to find any of the shops I would class as 'classic' shops.
What I mean by that is those old shops that I used to frequent as a youngster in the 90's that were generally quiet, cramped shops, usually in multiple rooms of a converted house, with shelves of kits stacked to the ceiling. You had rooms chock full of vehicles, aircraft, Hornby, scalextrics, paints and diorama supplies.
Recently I went back to a shop just like that to find they only sell Hornby and R/C items. I asked why they don't sell kits anymore and they claimed they weren't doing good trade in those anymore as people are buying online.
Most other shops, like toy shops, just sell the Revell & Airfix started packs with the paints etc.
So, are there any 'classic' shops near you, and more to the point, are there any in Kent!
I only ask as since I re-started my model kit hobby very recently, I can't seem to find any of the shops I would class as 'classic' shops.
What I mean by that is those old shops that I used to frequent as a youngster in the 90's that were generally quiet, cramped shops, usually in multiple rooms of a converted house, with shelves of kits stacked to the ceiling. You had rooms chock full of vehicles, aircraft, Hornby, scalextrics, paints and diorama supplies.
Recently I went back to a shop just like that to find they only sell Hornby and R/C items. I asked why they don't sell kits anymore and they claimed they weren't doing good trade in those anymore as people are buying online.
Most other shops, like toy shops, just sell the Revell & Airfix started packs with the paints etc.
So, are there any 'classic' shops near you, and more to the point, are there any in Kent!
Ahh, it's good to hear there are still some out there!
There's a small one in my town, deals mainly with R/C kit but has a small selection of plastic kits and supplies that will keep me going for the time being, although I do buy most my kits online just because there's nothing local that's better.
Going back to my home town soon for a few days, so will see if the fairly good one there is still the same as I remember it!
There's a small one in my town, deals mainly with R/C kit but has a small selection of plastic kits and supplies that will keep me going for the time being, although I do buy most my kits online just because there's nothing local that's better.
Going back to my home town soon for a few days, so will see if the fairly good one there is still the same as I remember it!
grenpayne said:
There's a decent one in Swindon, funnily enough called the Swindon Model Centre. The couple who run it ace and although I go in for r/c stuff they do a huge amount of plastic kits. Well worth a visit if you in Swindon.
Is that the tiny one up near the new library? I stunned by the amount of stuff they can fit in that place.There's another one down the other end of the high street (fleet street?) which has a reasonable selection of all sorts of stuff.
TheForceV4 said:
Parkway in Camden Town. Hobbycraft I believe its called 
There's Hobbycraft in many places.http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/Pages/Stores/
grenpayne said:
There's a decent one in Swindon, funnily enough called the Swindon Model Centre. The couple who run it ace and although I go in for r/c stuff they do a huge amount of plastic kits. Well worth a visit if you in Swindon.
Jesus!! Amazing shop by the looks of ithttp://www.swindonmodelcentre.co.uk/plastic%20kits...
That's the sort of place i could get lost for hours as a kid (and probably now)!
The one in Bearwood West Midlands (Brum and up a bit to the left) is just like that one above
I was staggered at how much they sold when I went in last month looking for Alclad ll.
Vallejo paints and God knows how many other paint ranges, amazing.
Came out with fists full of paper bags with "stuff" in 'em.
Utter return to the seventies for me.
Mr Modeller I think, Abbey Road (I didnt know about the guy, just found them on the Alclad ll website and drove across for a looksee)
But Modelzone? I found my local one to be staffed by numpties who havent a clue about my personal modelling interests and who show no interest in helping me.
takes all sorts
Still they do sell paints and Slaters stuff
I was staggered at how much they sold when I went in last month looking for Alclad ll.
Vallejo paints and God knows how many other paint ranges, amazing.
Came out with fists full of paper bags with "stuff" in 'em.
Utter return to the seventies for me.
Mr Modeller I think, Abbey Road (I didnt know about the guy, just found them on the Alclad ll website and drove across for a looksee)
But Modelzone? I found my local one to be staffed by numpties who havent a clue about my personal modelling interests and who show no interest in helping me.
takes all sorts
Still they do sell paints and Slaters stuff
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