So, just saw this on Farcebook last night via a post on a group:
If you type in modelzone.co.uk, this is what you get:
“On 26 June 2013, Richard Michael Hawes, Nicholas Guy Edwards and Robert James Harding of Deloitte LLP were appointed Joint Administrators of Modelzone Holdings Limited, The Amerang Group Limited, Modelzone Limited and Amerang Limited (together the “Companies”). The affairs, business and property of the Companies are being managed by the Joint Administrators. The Joint Administrators act as agents of the Companies only and contract without personal liability. The Joint Administrators are authorised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). All licensed Insolvency Practitioners of Deloitte LLP are licensed in the UK”
Modelzone has always been a good source of 1/43 bargains and also the main stockist of Corgi Vanguards. With this name going (hopefully not) from the High Street, where does it leave the UK Collector? Forced to buy via Corgi’s own website? ebay? And what about model kits – still a popular item as well as radio controlled models – that’s Tamiya stuffed. Let us not forget about Hornby and Scalextric as well – that is the majority of the Hornby Hobbies portfolio denied a high street outlet.
Worrying times – if Corgi – and other brands – cannot sell to the general public, then a significant slice of the market is gone. the genral public will not go online looking at diecastlegends.co.uk to get a cheap and cheerful buy. Many a time I have seen a little one on the shop dragging their parents in tow ogling at wide range of diecast on display. And most times the wee one comes away with summat……
So is it now left to the likes of Argos, John Lewis, Amazon, etc to carry such brands? What about AutoArt, Minichamps? No access to the high street only via specialists.
I hope that Modelzone can climb out of it – it is part of my ritual to pop in there when I am back in the UK and see what bargains I can find – I have found many over the years. But if it does go, then along with the name of Beatties, it will be a sad day for hobby/diecast/model enthusiasts. The economic climate could claim yet another victim.
Musings from my Garage 