Hattons Model Railways to close

[AY Mod]

It is confirmed today on their website that Hattons are to close.

 

Hattons Model Railways announces closure after 77 years in operation Widnes, Monday 8th January 2024 – After 77 years of dedicated service to the model railway community, Hattons Model Railways regretfully announces their decision to close down. The closure marks the end of an era for one of the industry's oldest and most well-known retailers. Founded in 1946, Hattons Model Railways has been a cornerstone in the model railway hobby, offering a wide range of high-quality products, exceptional customer service, and a deep knowledge in the world of model railways.

 

Over the years, Hattons has earned a reputation for its commitment to excellence and has become a trusted name among enthusiasts, collectors, and hobbyists worldwide. The decision to close was not made lightly and follows a thorough assessment of the current business landscape and retail trends. Despite the company's best efforts to adapt to changing market conditions, it has become clear that continuing operations is no longer sustainable. As such, the decision has been taken to wind down in an orderly fashion (leaving no outstanding debts).

 

Hattons Model Railways would like to express its deepest gratitude to its loyal customers, dedicated staff, and the entire model railway community for their unwavering support throughout the years. The company has cherished the opportunity to contribute to the passion and joy that model railways bring to people's lives. In the coming days and weeks, Hattons will conduct a clearance event to sell off all remaining stock. This presents a final opportunity for customers to acquire exceptional products at discounted prices. Details of the sale can be found at www.hattons.co.uk/sale 

 

Richard Davies, Christine Hatton and the entire management team at Hattons Model Railways extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey. While the business may be closing, the memories and connections forged within the model railway community will endure.

 

https://hattons.co.uk/closure

 

Hattons Closure - Customer FAQ

 

It is with immense sadness that we share news of the upcoming closure of Hattons Model Railways, an institution in the hobby since 1946.

Over the decades, we've been privileged to serve enthusiasts and share our passion for model railways with hundreds of thousands of customers.

 

You may have several questions about how this has come about and how this affects you directly in regards to pre-orders, the trunk, pre-owned and more.

We've put together a small FAQ which we hope answers most of these questions.

 

The company is NOT insolvent. The company is being wound down in an orderly fashion, leaving no outstanding debts.

 

Changing market conditions have had a large impact on the business, we have seen this in declining customer numbers, changing customer demographics and supply chain disruption.

 

Increased cost of compliance has become a large factor. Brexit, GST and other operational costs of running an international business have all increased dramatically over the past few years.

 

We do not have an exact date for closing down as of yet. We will be communicating this in the coming weeks.

 

Below is a breakdown of various areas of the business and how they will be impacted in the near future.

Pre-Orders

Hattons Originals

Trunk

Store

Kerbside Pickup

Pre-Owned

 

Pre-Orders

No further pre-orders will be fulfilled by Hattons, except for some Hattons Originals projects (details in the Hattons Originals section).

 

Our friends at Rails of Sheffield are aware of our changes and are ready to accept preorders for all items you may have had on order with us https://railsofsheffield.com/

 

Local customers may like to try Barry, Gill & Tom at https://widnesmodelcentre.co.uk/ 

Manufacturer websites are also available to assist in finding a local/alternative supplier

Hornby - https://uk.hornby.com/ 

Heljan - https://www.heljan.co.uk/ 

Dapol - https://www.dapol.co.uk/ 

Gaugemaster - https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/ 

Rapido - https://rapidotrains.co.uk/ 

Accurascale - https://www.accurascale.com/ 

Peco - https://peco-uk.com/ 

Oxford Diecast - https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/ 

Metcalfe - https://www.metcalfemodels.com/ 

Revolution Trains - https://revolutiontrains.com/
 

We can also direct people to retailers who have been friends to Hattons over the years

Rails of Sheffield (pre-orders) - https://railsofsheffield.com/ 

Widnes Model Centre (local customers) - https://widnesmodelcentre.co.uk/ 

Olivias Trains (digital services) - https://oliviastrains.com/ 

 

Hattons Originals

Batch 2 Genesis coaches WILL be produced and released as announced.

GCR French grey & brown

L&Y brown & umber

Midland Railway crimson lake

LSWR salmon & brown

BR crimson

NCB blue

CIE dark green

CIE light green

CIE black & tan

GER Stratford brown

Warwell reruns WILL be produced and released as announced.

P Class reruns are currently under review. Once a decision has been made we will be sure to communicate this to customers.

Batch 3 Genesis coaches will NOT be produced

Andrew Barclay reruns will NOT be produced.

Beilhack reruns will NOT be produced.

 

Trunk

The trunk is still available for use for the time being and customers are welcomed to make use of it.

The trunk needs to be emptied by Monday 5th February 2024.

If items are not released from the trunk by this deadline then they will be automatically dispatched by us.

 

Store

The store is currently open with regular opening hours.

Monday - 10am–1pm, 2–5pm

Tuesday - Closed

Wednesday - 10am–1pm, 2–5pm

Thursday - Closed

Friday - 10am–1pm, 2–5pm

Saturday - 10am–1pm, 2–5pm

Sunday - Closed

 

 

Kerbside Pickup

Kerbside pickup from the lockers outside will continue to be available for the time being.

We will be sure to advise of any change to kerbside pickup availability.

 

Pre-Owned

We have suspended offering on and purchasing any Pre-Owned collections effective immediately.

Any collections which are already with us or that are en route will be processed and paid for ASAP.

Pre-Owned stock will continue to be added to the website for sale each weekday until we run out of items to add.

Pre-Owned credit can continue to be used for in stock items, including those in our closing down sale.

 

Today we invite our customers to take part in our Closing Down Sale. Don't miss out on our last run of unbeatable discounts.

View our Sale

[AY Mod]

My heartfelt sympathies to everyone within the business; several of whom I have come to know and respect. Hatton’s have been the most prominent retail name within the hobby for decades and it’s not just a shock; it’s a shockwave and will cause concern across the board even if there are short-term opportunities for others.

Many within the hobby, especially on a later return, would have gone to Hattons to build their collection and then gone on to grow as modellers and buy elsewhere and in addition. There are also customers who, through choice, would buy from no-one else.

On a personal level I wish everyone there all the best with any processes in place; it won’t be easy and I would ask any readers to follow the due processes rather than asking on here what will happen to their order etc. It’s been a business that values its customers and has had a good name within the industry and those people deserve our thanks and consideration at a testing time.

[Legend]

Very sad . I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.  Thoughts with those affected . They are going to be much missed . Just look at an old Railway Modeller to see how long they’ve been around . I think they were advertising in the first model Railway Mag I bought . Very very sad and shocking that market conditions are that bad . 
 

Wow it really is a shock 

 

And now  thinking about it it must have repercussions across the whole of model railways - for a start think of all the pages of advertising that will now disappear 

Edited January 8 by Legend

[Harlequin]

This is almost inconceivable.

 

Very sad news.

 

[BMacdermott]

Hello Hattons

 

This is a blow to you all and I am deeply upset to hear this news.

 

Brian

[LaGrange]

2 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

I would ask any readers to follow the due processes rather than asking on here what will happen to their order etc. – there are real people involved with hardships; please bear that in mind.

 

 

Bring on the 'what about my blah blah blah' anyway, people wont read anything and expect it handed to them even when its right in front of them

 

A sad loss, they were the only big UK retailer who made buying items from Ireland painless after the 'B' thing, being registered for VAT in Ireland, my last order arrived last week after being placed in the early hours of Christmas Morning and always got items within days and not weeks. Efficiency was as good as their prices

[AY Mod]

Just now, LaGrange said:

Bring on the 'what about my blah blah blah' anyway, people wont read anything and expect it handed to them even when its right in front of them

 

They'll find themselves with more time on their hands. 🤔

[Fair Oak Junction]

I'm genuinely shocked by this news! A huge thanks to everyone involved in the business and I wish them the best for whatever they go on to do in the future.

 

A sad sign of the times I guess 🙁

[ToledoRails]

My heart sank reading the Facebook announcement. Hatton's has been the best seller to purchase from for international orders and that second market really helped the exchange rate. Sorely going to miss them.

[andyman7]

It's sad to hear, the end of an era. Hattons 3 page ads in Railway Modeller, the parcels tied with string, the shop in Smithdown Road are all memories of my youth. Best wishes to everyone involved.

 

 

[bmthtrains - David]

Very sad and I wish everyone at the company the very best for the future. A staggering loss to the hobby and as Andy already said, this will create massive shockwaves.

 

David 

[James Makin]

Very sad news, having been a customer since the old telephone mail order days, Hattons always stuck out as providing constant innovation for the customer to make it increasingly easy to make purchases as the shift to online transactions came and put themselves front and foremost of giving a great customer journey. I also used to love it in those days when you’d order something and they’d tell you who’s packed it!

 

I’m sure they have played a much larger part in influencing the ease of the great online service that we take for granted at all the major online model railway stores than we may realise, a big loss for the staff and all of us across the hobby! 

[LittleRedTrain]

This is a real shock out of the blue! 
Hattons with their massive, almost industrial-scale, business seemed to be in a much better place to weather the various storms than anyone else. 
Their Trunk system is an excellent innovation, and made it easier to add together all the little bits and pieces into an order worth shipping, as well as grab interesting pre-owned items straight away without having to worry about adding on the shipping costs.

Looks like I'll be spending the evening moving my many pre-orders elsewhere!

All the best to the staff and all involved, from whom I've had nothing but great service over the years!

[Darius43]

Sad to hear this news and wish everyone at Hattons the best for the future after this difficult time.

 

Darius

[Johann Marsbar]

That is a shock.    I first went to their Smithdown Road shop about 50 years ago!

[ToledoRails]

... is it too soon to wonder what will happen with the Andrew Barclay and 4 & 6 wheeled Genesis coaches after Hattons closes their doors?

Edited January 8 by ToledoRails

[Steamport Southport]

Devastating. Been using them personally since the mid 1970s and my family for a lot longer than that.

 

I suppose the loss of a proper easy to access shop probably hasn't helped in the long run. Ordering online isn't quite the same as going into the old Smithdown Road store and coming out with things you didn't even want!

 

Proper salespeople in action.

 

 

 

Jason

[Adrian Stevenson]

Very shocked to read this, saw it first on Instagram and thought it was a scam / joke. Always had good service from them. Sorry for those losing their jobs.

[woodenhead]

It is indeed shocking and sad news, Hattons were my regular haunt when I worked in Liverpool and would regularly mooch around Smithdown Road looking in the cases before succumbing to yet more N gauge Mk1s.

 

I think we should also applaud them for taking a very difficult business decision in a manner that leaves no supplier or customer out of pocket and opens the door for them to sell their IP on their terms so that it's model range can live on with no sour taste having seen someone get it cheap.

 

My heart goes out to the employees of the company and wish them all well in the future.

[AY Mod]

1 minute ago, ToledoRails said:

... is it too soon to wonder what will happen with the Andrew Barclay and 4 & 6 wheeled Genesis coaches?

 

Why not read the first post?

[LBRJ]

Well I never! 

Best of wishes to all those who are connected to the company for the future.

[58050]

A huge shock, almost inconceivable. Thoughts with everyone at Hattons. 😔

[dave56]

Wow what a shock , I have used Hatton's for more that twenty years and I am so sad to hear this news.

Thank you to Hatton's who have always given great service to me!

Edited January 8 by dave56

[James Harrison]

6 minutes ago, ToledoRails said:

... is it too soon to wonder what will happen with the Andrew Barclay and 4 & 6 wheeled Genesis coaches?

 

They're mentioned in the opening post.

 

28 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

Batch 2 Genesis coaches WILL be produced and released as announced.

 

29 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

Batch 3 Genesis coaches will NOT be produced

Andrew Barclay reruns will NOT be produced.

 

I feel sorry for the Hattons team.

[Paperlad]

The announcement appeared on my F/book feed and my first thought was “here we go, another scam/hack/wind-up”. What a shock to find that it’s genuine.

 

I guess that I’m a relative newby but in the 20 years or so that I’ve been a customer I have nothing but praise for all the people that I’ve had the pleasure to meet.

 

A truly sad day in the world of model railways. You all have my best wishes for the future.

 

Regards.

 

P.L.