Model Shops UK

[Stef N.]

On 14/07/2020 at 23:03, Robert said:

Another shop is TJD Models at Farmingham Kent https://www.tjdmodels.com/ . Very good selection.

 

Regards

Robert

I stopped at this place on the way back from Kent and it is a great, well stocked shop. Well worth a visit. 

[Alfisti]

Popped into B and H Models,7 The Strait,Lincoln yesterday.Fairly good selection of kits,good selection of paints/tools and other paraphenalia associated to modelling.They also cater for railway,diecast,RC and slotcars.Its a veritable little rabbit warren of rooms.

[Pete in Lincs]

Access models in Newark has new people running it. The layout in there has been changed. A great range of kits, rail stuff, RC, paints etc and Warhammer.

[Pete Robin]

Don't come to Hull. It's a desert as far as model shops go. We now have a small railway stuff shop, a radio control stuff shop who sometimes has the odd plastic kit and Hobbycraft. A mixture of very old Airfix stuff, usually about three Tamiya offerings, also way outa date, and a shelf of Revell kits (plus it's upstairs, so not disabled friendly).

We used to have so many good outlets, but, usually down to old age and retirement, they have gone the way of the dodo. The rise of the internet and hard trading conditions is seeing off the rest I fear.

Unfortunately, and I include myself here, we didn't know what we had till it was gone. Very sad.

Regards

Pete

[Pete F]

3 minutes ago, Pete Robin said:

Don't come to Hull.

If you are ever travelling north, the Model Shop in the Old Cinema in Malton is probably the best in the area now. The website shows what is available but it is worth a stop off if nearby. https://www.worldwideshoppingmall.com
As an aside the model shop in Pickering seems to be permanently closed as from four or five weeks ago. Sad - as it had a reasonable range of tools etc.

[Circloy]

On 29/03/2023 at 19:06, Pete Robin said:

Don't come to Hull. It's a desert as far as model shops go. We now have a small railway stuff shop, a radio control stuff shop who sometimes has the odd plastic kit and Hobbycraft. A mixture of very old Airfix stuff, usually about three Tamiya offerings, also way outa date, and a shelf of Revell kits (plus it's upstairs, so not disabled friendly).

We used to have so many good outlets, but, usually down to old age and retirement, they have gone the way of the dodo. The rise of the internet and hard trading conditions is seeing off the rest I fear.

Unfortunately, and I include myself here, we didn't know what we had till it was gone. Very sad.

Regards

Pete

Thought Hobbycraft stopped stocking Airfix 2 to 3 years ago. There's either a pacity of modellers in the Hull area or the selection is worse than Aldi/Lidl's Xmas selection.

[Pete Robin]

20 hours ago, Circloy said:

Thought Hobbycraft stopped stocking Airfix 2 to 3 years ago. There's either a pacity of modellers in the Hull area or the selection is worse than Aldi/Lidl's Xmas selection.

It's still hanging on in there. I reckon it's old old stock, it never changes.

There are a whole heap of modellers, of all stripes, as was proved when Model Zone were here. The store was always busy, their mini competitions well supported. But they left for reasons unbeknown to their customers.

The old Model Shop was the best. He stocked all sorts, he even had a box full of Historex bits you could sort through. He retired, it went downhill quick and then,, gone!

Nearly all the guys I know now buy exclusively online. 

It's a real shame. Not just because these shops went the way of the dinnersaurs (sic), but the communities of modellers who frequented them, and drank tea, nattering about whatever, have gone too!

Can't even think of anything close by (within 30/40 mins drive) that is worth a visit.

Humbrol went, the rest followed it.

 

Regards

Pete

[T-21]

New Hobbycraft opened in Biggleswade. The retail park is just off the A1 on the south side of the town. 

Service options: In-store shopping · In-store pick-up

Located in: The A1 Retail Park

Address: Unit L, Bedfordshire, A1 Retail Park, London Rd, Biggleswade SG18 8PS

Hours: 

Closed ⋅ Opens 9 am

Phone: 0330 026 1149

 

Revell, Tamiya and Airfix kits. Good stock of Tamiya, Humbrol and Revell paints. Car park is free can get busy at peak times, if so Lidl opposite has free parking. Toilets in M&S  upstairs and good cafe. 

[Stef N.]

Another one in Stevenage. It only stocks Tamiya kits (an excellent selection mind you) and a lot of remote control stuff. But it does have a brilliant selection of paints and tools so if you need to top up your stores,this is handy. Also only 5 minutes away from KS Models.

 

https://www.scmodels.co.uk/

 

https://www.ks-models.co.uk/

[Paul H]

On 15/07/2020 at 16:28, spruecutter96 said:

One to add to the list of shops that are no-longer-trading.... Comet Miniatures, Lavender Hill, London. I used to love going in there and having a good look through all the dusty, old kits in the basement. The Sci-Fi, Film and Comic kits on the ground floor were also great, but some of the prices made my eyes water. 

 

Tony James, the owner, now trades on-line only as "Timeless Hobbies". 

 

Chris. 

 

 

 

I used to live about 5 mins walk from there about twenty years ago.  Lots of cool stuff in the window, but as you say, the prices...  I think that I went in only once!

 

There was also a much smaller one on Battersea Rise, just beyond the pub on the corner of Northcote Road.  I spent quite a bit of money in there (mainly on 1:18 diecast cars, as that was where my interests were mainly at the time, but also on 1:24 cars & styrene stock etc) , but suspect that it is long gone now.

 

On 12/03/2023 at 15:50, Spookytooth said:

A new one to me but well worth a look.

 

KB Models in Market Parade, Havant. Hants.

 

Impressive range of kits and paints etc.

 

Will be going there again when I get some pocket money.

 

Simon.

 

That's good to know, as I'm now just the other side of Emsworth.  Out of interest, what paint ranges did they have?

Edited April 10, 2023 by Paul H

[Spookytooth]

12 minutes ago, Paul H said:

 

I used to live about 5 mins walk from there about twenty years ago.  Lots of cool stuff in the window, but as you say, the prices...  I think that I went in only once!

 

There was also a much smaller one on Battersea Rise, just beyond the pub on the corner of Northcote Road.  I spent quite a bit of money in there (mainly on 1:18 diecast cars, as that was where my interests were mainly at the time, but also on 1:24 cars & styrene stock etc) , but suspect that it is long gone now.

 

 

That's good to know, as I'm now just the other side of Emsworth.  Out of interest, what paint ranges did they have?

The norm Tamiya, Mr hobby, MIG? Etc. 

[Black Knight]

Newtownards, Co. Down, N.I.

NCG,  Northern Card Gaming

142 Frances Street, at the end just by the double roundabouts

Primarily a shop for card and board gaming it has expanded into keeping plastic models and supplies

1/2 full of both modelling supplies eg, things to help airbrush painting, things for doing landscaping, loads of different makes & types of paints and a very great more, and there is very great selection of models. All prices look to be very reasonable.

The front area of the shop is a social area with tables & chairs for folk to sit and do their gaming at, towards the rear are the tables for modelling at and the model kits and supplies we are interest in are beyond that area

The shop is open 7 days a week with two late evenings

They have an open modelling group for actual modelling on Monday afternoon into early evening every week (afair, I need to check again)

The shop is clean, tidy, modern, well lit with its great big plate glass windows and well organised

The member of staff I spoke to on Thursday 13th April was very friendly and welcoming

 

[pigsty]

On 4/10/2023 at 5:59 PM, Paul H said:

There was also a much smaller one on Battersea Rise, just beyond the pub on the corner of Northcote Road.  I spent quite a bit of money in there (mainly on 1:18 diecast cars, as that was where my interests were mainly at the time, but also on 1:24 cars & styrene stock etc) , but suspect that it is long gone now.

That was Russ, which in all my time around the area seemed to specialise in dust and dead flies, yet it got very good reviews.  It's now some sort of beauty parlour.

[Paul H]

On 16/04/2023 at 17:31, pigsty said:

That was Russ, which in all my time around the area seemed to specialise in dust and dead flies, yet it got very good reviews.  It's now some sort of beauty parlour.

Ah - that's the one.  Couldn't remember the name until you reminded me.  As you say, the window display was never inspiring (!!), but there was loads of stuff inside, and the owner was always very helpful.

[BritJet]

Unexpectedly found a model shop in Aberystwyth after checking before we went and not finding anything - Google Maps link

 

They had a decent selection of Airfix, Revell, Zvezda as well as a few old kits, paints, glues, tools and lots of art supplies. 

 

Millwards'

5 Pier St

Aberystwyth

CEREDIGION

SY23 2LJ

 

01970 612260

 

Steve

[cmatthewbacon]

Slightly surprised (in a good way) to find a model shop in the back of an outdoor sports (fishing kit and crossbows!) shop in Bishop Auckland on Fore Bongate. There are kits in the windows. Windsock Models, they are called, part of Windrow Sports. Eclectic selection of recent ish kits mixed with RC plane and railway stuff. And lots and lots of AKs Land Rovers, one of which I bought…

beat,

M.

[Acinonyx Jubatus]

I haven't read the full eight pages of this thread, so sorry if these have already been mentioned

If visiting North wales, the model shop in Porthmadog is well worth a visit

Also, on Anglesey is Mona Models in Lanfair PG,  across the road from the Edinburgh woollen Mill outlet, only a small shop but carries a good selection of Eduard, Tamiya and other kits

[Eric Mc]

A brand new model shop recently opened in Newhaven (along the coast from Brighton). I paid a visit on its first day of trading and I was very impressed with what they had in stock. They are in an industrial unit not far from Newhaven railway station so parking is very user friendly (lots of space and no charges).

 

Modelworx

Unit 3, Bridge Industrial Estate
New Road, Newhaven. BN9 0HE

 

Edited to add link -

 

https://themodelworx.co.uk/ 

 

 

Edited July 12, 2023 by Eric Mc

[treker_ed]

A number of people have stated that the Yorkshire air museum was good place to pick up kits. Currently visiting, and not a single kit in evidence in the museum shop. So sadly seems that things have changed in the last couple of years.

 

The museum itself is a good place to visit with a number of great airframes and exhibits, but no kits to buy!😞

[BritJet]

Not specifically a model shop but an old style ironmongers with just about every tool, nut/bolt/washer etc you could ever want and loads of wotsits that you didn't know you needed! They have a good selection of Airfix and Revell kits and Humbrol paints. A lovely shop to have a look in if you are in the area - not far from the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden.

 

J R GOLDTHORPE & SON

38 High Street,

Biggleswade,

Bedfordshire,

SG18 0LJ

 

I can't find a working website but there is a phone number - 01767 313421

 

Google Maps Link

 

Steve

[airfixpeter]

For anyone in Somerset there is the scale model shed on the Ilton business park a nice small but well stocked and has a website but well worth a visit not far from the Merryfield airfield if visiting in person go right to end and turn right it should be there in front of you and also if you are in Taunton check out Watkins an small toy shop with a big selection of airfix at the back 

[Stef N.]

Talking of Somerset and the west I am heading that way soon (Frome, Bath and Bristol locale) and it looks to be a few good shops in the area. Frome Model Centre and Antics for starters. Jadlams and the Scale Model Shed also look very good but maybe too far for the time I have available. We shall see.

 

Are there any other gems worth looking out for?

[treker_ed]

3 hours ago, Stef N. said:

Talking of Somerset and the west I am heading that way soon (Frome, Bath and Bristol locale) and it looks to be a few good shops in the area. Frome Model Centre and Antics for starters. Jadlams and the Scale Model Shed also look very good but maybe too far for the time I have available. We shall see.

 

Are there any other gems worth looking out for?

Where in the west are you headed? I appreciate that you have said Bristol, Bath, Frome, but that's is still a large segment of the West Country!

[Stef N.]

1 hour ago, treker_ed said:

Where in the west are you headed? I appreciate that you have said Bristol, Bath, Frome, but that's is still a large segment of the West Country!

I'll use one of those as a base to explore around the area. Probably Frome as it looks pleasant and smaller than the other two (unless I am informed it is a well avoided dump😀)

[Graham Boak]

Last time I was in the West Country I visited Frome Model Shop and thought it wonderful.  It was a few years ago, of course, and places do change, but I've heard no ill of it.  In that general area, a good place to visit could be the Helicopter Museum at Weston Super Mare.  Maybe not for models but they are aircraft, of a sort.