Harrow Model Shop

Hi Nick Addlestone model shop in Surrey is also closing down 25% off all Items sad to see another shop go !!! All the best Steve

Curiously Hertford still has two model shops albeit only one carries model rail items (the other does cars, boats and planes).

Mark Thornton

Dam, and they just moved to north Harrow recently aswell, well they were always very expensive for Railway stuff so not surprised they closed.

This subject really angers me. I give my local retailer my support but when I see the large internet and mail order retailers getting what appears to be preferential treatment from the manufacturers is it any wonder that they are closing. Couple that with high overheads that a shop has to operate with and it wont be long before it is the internet/mailorder or nothing.

Kevin

wrote

We're a small shop with all those overheads. We don't get preferential treatment and have to compete with the large mail order & internet dealers. Our business is thriving, turnover was up over 21% in the first two months of this year compared with a record year in 2004. We've been in business continually since 1987 - what are we doing wrong?

John.

John,

I've read on another list that the Harrow shop was subjected to very hefty rent increases which knocked them for six. I suspect it might have cost them a lot to get out of their lease and to move to other premises, and I suspect they lost a lot of passing trade comparing the situation of their new premises with their old premises.

I visited their shop fairly regularly since it is only a few miles from my business in West London and it was a good shop when in the previous premises and always seemed to be busy. On the times I visited the new premises, I was often the only person in the shop.

Jim.

Where were the new premises?

I remember them having a shed on Pinner Road at the goods yard, and then later on Station Road just north of Bonnersfield Lane.

"Jim Guthrie" wrote

But businesses have to be aware of this possibility and deal with it. When we first opened we rented our shop, but made enquiries at the time whether we could have an option to buy, with the intention of safeguarding our use of the property at costs we could afford. When the owner was able to sell (restrictions applied earlier because she'd had some improvement grants) we bought, even though the cost of buying was somewhat higher than we'd been paying in rent.

One of the major considerations in running a business is about planning ahead.

John.

preferential

Good luck to you but the way things are going it wont be long before, with the exception of toy shops like Hamleys or Model Zone, and who wants to pay their prices, there will be nothing in London. Bear also in mind that most of the model shops I go to that the owners are getting on a bit so on retirement that will be it. Kevin

John,

I don't know the full details of what went on. I can only assume that they had a rent review on their lease which was way above what might have been expected. I don't know if they would have had an option to purchase, and what the purchase price would have been. The shop was on Harrow High Street with quite a large frontage, and with two or three stories over it, so could have been quite expensive.

Jim.

It's disastrous news - I can't help thinking the work on the Metropolitan Line hasn't helped with customer numbers. I just hope the Underground kits survive somehow. I'm now rapidly reaching the point where I'm priced out the hobby if I want access to "bits". Just awful.

Mark.

Our business is thriving, turnover was up over 21% in the first

Phil: Er, keeping yourself in the public eye (careful - Murdoch may find you) and using the internet and mail order ?

How many of 'the small high street shops' being referred to run a mail order side.. all of which must assist in widening their market (albeit with its own overheads)

I suppose the question of interest, (but not necessarily due an answer) is what proportion of your business is mail order - and is it that whichgis growing, or is that leading to repeat customers growing the on-site customers???

"Phil" wrote

It's called marketing and is something which all small businesses need to do effectively. We also don't employ staff, work extremely long hours and rarely take a holiday (although I am having next week off - the first break since June last year).

I can't answer that question, but many of the successful model shops I know of do so to some extent or other. It's not just about mail order though, there's a need to offer something that other retailers don't offer. We aim for total honesty and a top quality service - some people are prepared to pay a little more for those qualities.

It varies, but mail order is probably little more than 20-25% over a twelve month period. Our growth is across the board although I suspect we're nearing the limits of our work load capabilities.

John.

Three things:

a) service b) service c) service

:-)

John,

At the risk of requesting an advertisement ;o)

Where is your model shop, what does it sell?

Thanks,

Matt

"Matt Sharp" wrote

John.

Ummm John might I suggest you update your details, christmas openeing is a little out of date with easter looming....

"estarriol" wrote

I knew someone would say something like that, but sadly there are only so many hours in a day and something has got to give! :-(

John.

I think your presence here must help to a certain extent John. Giving good friendly advice and upto date information as you do, is like having your own local railway guru on tap 24/7 without having to leave the house.

I think the thread below (Hornby 31 .....) highlights your commitment and enthusiasm to the hobby and your business in general. That is why you are doing so well.