Pecorama

[Trainfish]

We've only been once in our adult years and enjoyed the day. We also enjoyed our evening when we did a runner from the pub in the village without paying. Not intentionally of course but we did save a few quid 

We did actually go back the next day to pay but there was nobody home.

[JulianO]

We have only been once, and it was in 2008, but perhaps we can be excused as it is a long way from New Zealand.
Based on this long ago visit, I would tend to agree with some of the points raised by Roy L S regarding marketing etc.
We visited as I had an interest in the model railways, but I also felt at the time that the building and display looked a bit tired, and was more taken with the Miniature Railway, the gardens and the wonderful views of Lyme Bay.
I was left feeling that as a whole the place didn't have a clear focus on what it was wanting to achieve, ie was it intended to boost the sale of Peco products, to promote model railways generally, or as a place for a family day out.
I am not a marketer, but my thought would be that the first thing to do could be to change the name. With due respect to the owning family, "Pecorama" seems a bit of a nothing name,and means nothing to anyone not involved with model railways. Locals we spoke to in Devon didn't seem to have heard of it.
Maybe they should rename the whole attraction "The Beer Heights Light Railway," and focus on promoting this along with the gardens and the location. It wouldn't mean they necessarily had to close the shop or the model displays, but I think those would be more of an optional add on for visitors who are interested rather than the casual visitor.

[Bealman]

That seems like a sensible thing to do.

[port perran]

That is an interesting response from @JulianO .

As someone who lives quite close to Pecorama I concur with Julian's remarks.
I've been several times including the most interesting visit with @Nbodger to film an item for the NGF Virtual Show.
I have to say that the senior management and staff were most welcoming and informative on that day.

It is a fabulous visitor attraction in a truly superb location but I too feel that it fails to market itself.

In this day and age printing a few leaflets which are distributed to local shops, pubs, hotels, campsites etc is simply not enough.
And I also agree that the name Pecorama doesn't work. It fails to convey what the attraction is about or, perhaps more importantly, where it is.
Browsing through a rack of leaflets, is the average holidaymaker going to choose the Pecorama one over, say, Paignton Zoo? I suggest not.

I note too that they have a policy of not undercutting their various retail outlets which is admirable but it does mean that model railway enthusiasts, me included, are put off from visiting due to the high prices even though the shop is well stocked and well laid out.

There is also,  in my opinion, the need for a better cafe. The Pullman carriage is lovely but is tucked away somewhat in the rather uninspiring yard between the factory and the shop area.

The grounds are spectacular and the light railway is fabulous so it'll be a great shame to see that all go to waste.
Let's hope something can be done to save it.

[Newportnobby]

'Pecorama' only resonates with those who know the tradename 'Peco' i.e. railway modellers.
I wholly concur with the renaming proposal. Make it about the attraction of the gardens and BHLR, have a decent café and tack the inevitable gift shop on the exit as most tourist attractions do. By all means price items with consideration to your dealership but be prepared to sell very little over and above child pressure on parents

[port perran]

For those who have access to Facebook, a dedicated Save Pecorama group has been set up :

https://tinyurl.com/bdf3tuj7

[Bob G]

We've only been once in our adult years and enjoyed the day. We also enjoyed our evening when we did a runner from the pub in the village without paying. Not intentionally of course but we did save a few quid 

We did actually go back the next day to pay but there was nobody home.

Were you also camping? Because that would have been criminal intent 

[Newportnobby]

We've only been once in our adult years and enjoyed the day. We also enjoyed our evening when we did a runner from the pub in the village without paying. Not intentionally of course but we did save a few quid 

We did actually go back the next day to pay but there was nobody home.

Were you also camping? Because that would have been criminal intent 

  

[Bob G]

 

Well that would increase the time available for modelling.... in OO as well as N !!!

[EtchedPixels]

'Pecorama' only resonates with those who know the tradename 'Peco' i.e. railway modellers.
I wholly concur with the renaming proposal. Make it about the attraction of the gardens and BHLR, have a decent café and tack the inevitable gift shop on the exit as most tourist attractions do. By all means price items with consideration to your dealership but be prepared to sell very little over and above child pressure on parents

Some vendors (particularly in Europe proper) seem to work around this by selling collectors wagons and the like that can only be bought in their official shop. I am sure there's scope for Peco to knock up a yearly BHLR official wagon that you can't buy anywhere else or mail order 

[Bealman]

Another good idea. I'm a huge fan of that sort of thing, and bought wagons from Minatur Wunderland and the Kyoto Railway Museum, for example.

[Chris Morris]

'Pecorama' only resonates with those who know the tradename 'Peco' i.e. railway modellers.
I wholly concur with the renaming proposal. Make it about the attraction of the gardens and BHLR, have a decent café and tack the inevitable gift shop on the exit as most tourist attractions do. By all means price items with consideration to your dealership but be prepared to sell very little over and above child pressure on parents

Some vendors (particularly in Europe proper) seem to work around this by selling collectors wagons and the like that can only be bought in their official shop. I am sure there's scope for Peco to knock up a yearly BHLR official wagon that you can't buy anywhere else or mail order 

I bought a BHLR 009 wagon this summer. They also do a BHLR coach. They were only available at Pecorama at the time but they may be elsewhere as well by now.