Another Model Shop Dies

[CookieOldParticipant @cookieold]

Very Sad News , Model World in In Lancaster will close at the end of March , this was a very large shop and the owner said it was down to on internet shops'

Dave

[CookieOldParticipant @cookieold]

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Dave

It is very sad for all concerned when a local model shop closes but the internet always wins, we all know that an internet shop can be run from a spare bedroom and so avoids business rates, commercial property rent, insurance, running costs etc.

We loose the chat and expertise that the local shop provided not to mention the personal touch, which is a real loss but how many of us are guilty of looking at prices and asking advice in a shop before buying the same thing from the internet?

​Paul

[Tim CooperParticipant @timcooper90034]

Oddly I have recently made a trip to my local model shop, Gee Dees in Nottingham. I needed some balsa for a new model and with a Bus Pass it was cheaper to get on the bus and save the delivery charges, although the wood was slightly more expensive. Although , of course, use the Internet for lots of bits.

The balsa is now starting to look boat shaped, looking back it must be decades since I last made a boat out of balsa.

Tim

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Tim

Gee Dee is also my local model shop, although I rarely use it for anything more than Humbrol enamels. They've never stocked much for boats except the usual Robbe and Graupner kits and fittings, so I'm forced to use mail-order. I regard Internet shopping as little more than old-fashioned mail-order but with flashier catalogues and more choice of suppliers. Remember Roland Scott, Mick Charles and Henry J Nicholls?
BTW did you know that Peter Grain, the guy who started Gee Dee's way back when I was in school blazer and shorts, still visits the shop regularly? I think I heard he's 88. Talk about keeping the faith!
Dave M

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

Looking at the reply from Dave Milbourn it was interesting that he mentioned Mick Charles at Ewell. I used to go there when I was working and traveling around, plus the model shop in Addlestone. I now in the main I use the internet, but in the run up to Christmas my former boss wanted some info on model boats as he was trying to get his grandson (10) away from the computer. I advised him of some internet sites e.g. Howes, but he said he would prefer to "go and see the bloke down the road", that being Mick Charles, and apparently the shop gave him very good service. Where I was brought up in Uxbridge there were two fantastic model shops and when I think of them I can immediately smell balsa cement and the like…..happy days!

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