Moderators AY Mod Posted March 31, 2022 Moderators Share Posted March 31, 2022 Whilst we were off air Phil and I were invited to preview Bachmann's new venture. Exciting new model and hobby store opening in Hinckley A new store with a difference is opening soon in Castle Street, Hinckley in Leicestershire. MCC Store is a subsidiary of Bachmann Europe, a local company who have been manufacturing and distributing high quality model and hobby products for over 30 years. With the support of Bachmann, MCC aims to bring hobbies back to the high street! In addition to the fantastic range of products, the store aims to engage with customers through workshops and demonstrations. These will be held throughout the year and details will be posted on the MCC Store Facebook page. Project Manager Jon Gibbs said “During the pandemic we have seen a huge surge in interest for modelling products, with people revisiting past hobbies and having more time to spare. The aim of the store is to get people to put down their screens and create something amazing using the products on offer and expert advice on hand. This is a store for all members of the family to enjoy, with products for all ages and abilities. Within the store, there is a fantastic range of materials to support school projects and encourage creativity. We have a great team here who can’t wait to welcome visitors”. There is a huge selection of products on display including plastic kits, model scenery, educational toys, model trains, collectables and flying toys. Younger visitors can also look forward to visiting the children’s craft and play table, which allows mum and dad the chance to browse the shop at their leisure. The 135sqm store has created 5 new jobs and is located on Castle Street in Hinckley. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 I like the idea of this and that it isn't treading on toes of Bachmann's existing retail network, unlike how another big box manufacturer would probably do this. Plenty of space in the Trafford Centre!!!! 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Sweet pea Posted March 31, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2022 This is a great idea model collect create. I like the fact they are not competing with other model shops and I like the idea of bringing people in and having a go at some sort of modelling. Very family friendly. 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 (edited) The fact that the railways are only a small part of the shop shows the range of product that Bachmann have at their disposal. Edited March 31, 2022 by woodenhead 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
w124bob Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 This would be my only excuse for visiting Hinckley! Born the town, grew up in Barwell and have only been back twice in the last 35 years. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BR Blue Posted March 31, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 31, 2022 I wonder what Hornby tier the shop will be on 1 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolkchinaclay Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, w124bob said: This would be my only excuse for visiting Hinckley! Born the town, grew up in Barwell and have only been back twice in the last 35 years. In its defence, the Triumph Factory Visitor Centre is free and we’ll worth a visit even if you aren’t into motorbikes. If you are, then the factory tours (for a very small charge) are also well worth pre-booking for. Being relatively new to the area, I find the town centre interesting to walk around for its varied architectural styles. There are a few good small independent retailers and some nice places to eat too. The Battlefield Line is just a few miles away, and Statfold Barn is only a few more. I know what you mean though. I spent 40 years living in the same town I grew up in and it’s never been quite the same as I remember when I go back. Edited March 31, 2022 by norfolkchinaclay Spelling 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
w124bob Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 I'd forgotten the Triumph connection, volunteered at Shackerstone back in the mid 70's and I seem to recall Royal Enfield R&D isn't that far away. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliepetty Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 This is a brilliant concept, I wish them well with this. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium brushman47544 Posted March 31, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 31, 2022 38 minutes ago, norfolkchinaclay said: In its defence, the Triumph Factory Visitor Centre is free and we’ll worth a visit even if you aren’t into motorbikes. If you are, then the factory tours (for a very small charge) are also well worth pre-booking for. When I started reading that I wasn’t thinking motorbikes… 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolkchinaclay Posted March 31, 2022 Share Posted March 31, 2022 46 minutes ago, w124bob said: I'd forgotten the Triumph connection, volunteered at Shackerstone back in the mid 70's and I seem to recall Royal Enfield R&D isn't that far away. Yes RE R&D centre is at Bruntingthorpe a few miles away. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted April 1, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2022 Brilliant idea, very clever and deserves to be a great success. (Presumably the Margate one - run by somebody else of course- will be open for the summer season if they've got time to copy the idea by then) 1 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted April 1, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2022 14 hours ago, brushman47544 said: When I started reading that I wasn’t thinking motorbikes… "Triumph has a bra for the way you are!" 2 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 I think the idea is a good one, my only concern - and I get why they’re doing it - is that Bachmann RRP could, I imagine, put as many people off the hobby as the shop concept attracts! If I was a kid now I think £450 on a PlayStation 5 (Argos online price at moment) or for a Deluxe 47 and a Mk2F coach I know where I’d be going! 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted April 1, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 1, 2022 (edited) That is the danger . Ive heard folks at exhibitions obviously interested then visiting stalls and being appalled at £300 for a diesel . Then they work out that building a nice wee collection would cost loads . Thats the critical point , and as you say people then make comparisons to other forms of entertainment , Plystations , iPhones etc Edited April 1, 2022 by Legend 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators AY Mod Posted April 1, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted April 1, 2022 3 minutes ago, Legend said: Ive heard folks at exhibitions obviously interested then visiting stalls and being appalled at £300 for a diesel The same folk that were grumbling 15 years ago when they went past the £100 mark. That's just who and what they are. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted April 1, 2022 Administrators Share Posted April 1, 2022 11 minutes ago, Legend said: That is the danger . Ive heard folks at exhibitions obviously interested then visiting stalls and being appalled at £300 for a diesel . Then they work out that building a nice wee collection would cost loads . Thats the critical point , and as you say people then make comparisons to other forms of entertainment , Plystations , iPhones etc So the solution is to sell models at a loss - sorry, they tried that years ago and it wasn't great business. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micklner Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 The point being made is that prices are becoming or are already unsustainable for many people. We are in a very large worldwide crisis at this point in time , war, fuel costs ,food costs, refugees etc etc. Model trains and all/similar hobbies are a very low priority to the vast majority of people. Bachmann et al need to try and reduce prices if they are to stay in business at all. Reduce detail and/or supply more parts to be added by the buyer are obvious solutions there are others means as well. Most on here are very lucky, they bought the vast amount of their collections years ago. Who would like to be someone just starting out at £200 plus for a Loco and £40 for a simple Van?. Answer very few. 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted April 1, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 1, 2022 48 minutes ago, Phil Parker said: So the solution is to sell models at a loss - sorry, they tried that years ago and it wasn't great business. Of course not. But at Bachmann RRP we are some distance from making a loss . They may have more success in kits , though , which tend to be less expensive ranging upto large Battleships and the 1/200 Titanic . Very impressive . I think I spotted an Academy 1/144 B52 which in most places comes in at £35-£37 which will be much more attractive to the casual browser . Looks like a great range and I wish it success . Really Glasgow would be an ideal spot for this since Modelzone disappeared, with very few model shops around . Amazing in a City that hosts Model Rail Scotland with lots of local interest . 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted April 1, 2022 Administrators Share Posted April 1, 2022 Just now, micklner said: The point being made is that prices are becoming or are already unsustainable for many people. We are in a very large worldwide crisis at this point in time , war, fuel costs ,food costs, refugees etc etc. Model trains and all/similar hobbies are a very low priority to the vast majority of people. Bachmann et al need to try and reduce prices if they are to stay in business at all. Reduce detail and/or supply more parts to be added by the buyer are obvious solutions there are others means as well. Most on here are very lucky, they bought the vast amount of their collections years ago. Who would like to be someone just starting out at £200 plus for a Loco and £40 for a simple Van?. Answer very few. The first recorded price moan I can find was in 1946. The writer basically said the same thing you have just done, yet the hobby is still here 76 years later. Reducing detail sounds like "Design clever", which didn't exactly pan out well. Letting people put the details on sounds like ViTrains - met with howls because putting a pre-made handrail into pre-drilled holes is (according to many posters) too difficult. None of the new entrants to the hobby have gone down the chaep'n'cheerful route, which I think tells us something about the shape of the market. You'd think a number of "experts" on here could enter the market with a budget range and mop up all the money in the hobby, yet it hasn't ever happened. The price arguments are endless, and utterly fruitless. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted April 1, 2022 Administrators Share Posted April 1, 2022 Just now, Legend said: Of course not. But at Bachmann RRP we are some distance from making a loss Go on. Put some hard numbers on that. Unless you know how much a model costs to produce, shipe etc. then you can't judge how much money anyone is making. We do know that not many years ago, we were told that models were being sold at least than cost price. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators AY Mod Posted April 1, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted April 1, 2022 13 minutes ago, micklner said: Bachmann et al need to try and reduce prices if they are to stay in business at all. Can we just leave this threadbare narrative out of it as it's worn out after years of repetition, they're selling what they produce and are still here and investing in future projects. Not in the mood for perpetual moaning, I've had a pleasant rest from it for 10 days. 3 5 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micklner Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 9 minutes ago, AY Mod said: Can we just leave this threadbare narrative out of it as it's worn out after years of repetition, they're selling what they produce and are still here and investing in future projects. Not in the mood for perpetual moaning, I've had a pleasant rest from it for 10 days. Sorry its not moaning there is overwhelming evidence. Some people and companies need to wake up to what happening in the world outside and that it appears to be getting worse by the day at the moment !!. Very sad times. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Phil Parker Posted April 1, 2022 Administrators Share Posted April 1, 2022 1 minute ago, micklner said: Sorry its not moaning there is overwhelming evidence. I can't resist - go on, WHERE is this overwhelming evidence? 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators AY Mod Posted April 1, 2022 Author Moderators Share Posted April 1, 2022 3 minutes ago, micklner said: Very sad times Yes, that's the real world but it doesn't mean I, and others who comment about you, have to listen to moaning Mick's worn out record. Next time I see it you can just go on the moderation queue. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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