Hi All,



It was reported today that MODEL ZONE may/is going into Administration,

If you have placed a deposit for an item I would recommend you run down to your local store and ask for it back toot sweet....

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Taken from wikipedia pages today :-

Modelzone also stock exclusive limited edition models made by Corgi and Hornby.[8] Alongside its own retail website, the company is also a listed seller on Amazon.co.uk.[9]

On the 25th June 2013 they filed a notice to appoint administrators (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10141388/2000-jobs-at-risk-as-Dwell-Internacionale-Ark-and-ModelZone-head-for-administration.html)

Hi all 

I heard today in my local model shop that they have gone into administration 

dave 

It was mentioned on either Radio 4 or 5 (can't remember which one I was on at the time) and it said they had called in the administrator and were making staff redundant, they called it a "modelling company" lol

Caz

Sad to hear, they didn't have much N stuff, but the staff at the Glasgow branch
were always polite and friendly.

One of the problems is that they bought out a number of other shops - including some with long histories of giving good service - like the model shop on Deansgate in Manchester.  It'll be a real shame if those places disappear from the high street...  Though I suppose one might be able to argue that their original owners sold them to ModelZone because they could 'see the writing on the wall', and they might not have lasted as long as they did if they'd stayed in 'private' hands.

Anyone know if this affects The Signal Box in Rochester, as I have a coupla pre orders on with them and need to know whether to move them elsewhere. TIA

that's a shame

i hope no one is made redundant and that a new buyer can be found

they have bought out some good n gauge rtc limited editions. some good oo gauge limited editions too i noticed.


tim

Both ModelZone and Signal Box's websites have gone onto the (now common) administration blurb 

N gauge stocks in the Leeds branch have been low for some time but they've carried far more in the past.
As MZ had 47 stores nationwide, of bigger concern is that it'll be harder to get hold of basic modelling materials such as paint and glue, as well as losing a high profile "shop window" for N gauge and railway modelling in general in the High Street or shopping centre.

A shame - I was very impressed with the Reading branch

Holy Cow, I bought 6 Peco double slips from the signalbox 2 weeks ago. I got them very fast, 6 days later here in the States.

Jamie

Can't say I've ever been to one... But it's never a good thing to see someone going under

Have to put my opinion in here.We have a Modelzone shop here in Doncaster and despite their hilarious pricing policy,I have always received good service from them.

They have a good bunch of blokes working in there who I hope are well prepared for what may be coming to them.I think that Modelzone,although not the biggest chain of shops probably went too big too soon.By buying up so many shops that were'nt doing particularly well probably is/was their coffin nail.I mirror everyones opinions about the fortunes of another high street shop chain and as we all know,theres blood on the high streets with more to flow.

It is sad that they are the latest casualty and I believe that our high streets will be a worse place without them.

I have,in the past,bought most,if not all of their limited edition RTC stuff apart from their 08 shunter Ivor.When the class 24 in RTC livery came out,I waited a while until I could justify buying one,then when I went out to buy it,they were out of stock.Within a few days my phone rang and sure enough,a Modelzone RTC class 24 was waiting for me which I duly snapped up and it is one of my best models,better now I've fitted it out with dcc sound.

Our shop in Doncaster is perhaps a tad different to those such as Signal Box in that it caters to all aspects of toys/models.It isn't solely a model railway shop so this is perhaps the reason why their prices are a bit expensive but I still don't want to see it disappear.

Pete

Quote from: Pete Mc on June 26, 2013, 11:38:18 PM
Have to put my opinion in here.We have a Modelzone shop here in Doncaster and despite their hilarious pricing policy,I have always received good service from them.

I used that shop when it was TAG's, originally by the station, it was always a good shop.

However I am not surprised at the news based on my recent experience of modelzone on the south coast.

dodger

MZ also caters for other hobbies including plastic kits and radio controlled models but after the administration process is finished I hope their new buyer will take on some of the shops so that they maintain a High Street presence, even in a scaled-down form, and TAG Models and The Signal Box sold to their own managements and prosper.