RMweb Premium Popular Post RichardT Posted February 23 RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted February 23 I think this is worth a separate small thread, as we don’t do obituaries for businesses. For those not on the Hatton’s email list, I’ve pasted in below the text from their farewell email received today. There’s been a lot of discussion around the closure, but given that it’s happened, I think this is a really classy sign-off. Particularly appreciate the evident care for their staff. RichardT “Dear Richard, From all of us at Hattons, we want to thank you for all of your support and business. Over our incredible 77 year history we have been proud to serve the model railway industry and our wonderful customers. Hattons Model Railways has now officially closed but we wanted to send you one last email to bid you a fond farewell. A Message from our CEO Richard & Chairwoman Christine Christine Hatton: "My 26 years of full time work here have been an absolute blast. I will have fond memories of Hattons, the people I've worked alongside and the community we have served. I am now looking forward to a happy retirement including plenty of travel, golf and tennis - as well as some part time voluntary work. I would like to thank all of our customers and everyone associated with Hattons over the last 77 years." Richard Davies: "I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has worked & shopped with Hattons over the 25 years I've had the privilege to work here. Since 1999 the internet has transformed the world and invigorated our wonderful hobby. Hattons have sold over £225 million of model railways to over 425,000 different people in more than 150 countries - it's been an incredible journey and experience. After Hattons I'll be: Doing some consultancy work in the UK model railway industry. Consultancy work with companies outside of model railways - feel free to enquire by connecting on LinkedIn. I'm particularly interested in working with firms in Chester & North Wales on an ongoing basis, but more than happy to use Zoom to speak to anyone around the world Potentially visiting model railway clubs around the world and telling the story of Hattons - feel free to invite me! Spending time with family in Flint, North Wales Contactable at davieshq@gmail.com I would like to say thank you to Christine Hatton for asking me to help run Hattons, after her brother Keith died in 2008. Keith was an such incredible & unique person, that it was understandable many assumed his passing would lead to our closing - we surprised many by achieving a huge amount between 2008 & 2023. I wish Christine, and all the dedicated colleagues of Hattons, all the very best for the future. I am very sorry my best wasn't good enough to maintain Hattons success." Connect with Richard on Linkedin → Contact Richard via Email → Hattons Staff move on to new pastures... We are pleased to announce that several of our staff members are continuing to work in the model railway industry. You may be familiar with Dave, Jack, Christov & Tom: Dave - Commercial Projects Manager Dave has been with Hattons for many years working in practically all areas of the business! Dave is moving on to Rapido Trains UK to assist with their forthcoming projects. Jack - Chief Content Officer You may recognise Jack from our popular Platform 1 livestreams and at exhibitions. He started in 2017, managing our marketing campaigns and content. He is moving on to work with Rails of Sheffield. Christov & Tom - Helpdesk Assistants If you've ever called or emailed us, you have likely spoken to Christov or Tom - who were two of our extremely knowledgeable helpdesk remote workers. Both have now moved to The Model Centre. Seeking staff for your organisation? We are more than happy to circulate any opportunities you may have to our highly capable former members of staff. Contact Us →” 34 1 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1andrew1 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 That's a very good send-off. And quite a humble comment from Richard "I am very sorry my best wasn't good enough to maintain Hattons success." 6 10 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post Neil Posted February 23 RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted February 23 I'm hugely impressed by the last paragraph, "Seeking staff for your organisation? We are more than happy to circulate any opportunities you may have to our highly capable former members of staff. Contact Us →" They manage to be a class act to the end. 4 31 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post 4630 Posted February 23 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted February 23 (edited) I received the email a little earlier today and was rather touched by its contents and the style of the final message. I think it says a lot about the personal and professional qualities of Richard Davies. I for one wish him and all the former colleagues at Hattons the very best for the future. Edited February 23 by 4630 To correct a rogue spell check intervention 4 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Popular Post AY Mod Posted February 23 Moderators Popular Post Share Posted February 23 1 hour ago, 4630 said: I think it says a lot about the personal and professional qualities of Richard Davies. It does; but it's not a surprise to me in many ways as I'm able to say Richard is a friend as much as an industry contact. Many of our chats were outside work hours and not always about work or industry topics be it late night text message exchanges, Sunday or Bank Holiday chats, chats from all around the globe. Always exploratory and innovative with disarming honesty and frankness about matters, any conversation or meeting was memorable with tremendous likeability and the capacity to discuss alternative viewpoints without it ever being a disagreement. I respect who he is as much as what he achieved. 36 2 3 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Roger Sunderland Posted February 23 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 23 Well said Andy. Hattons have been a part of my life since I was 6 years old and living on Merseyside. I will miss them. Good luck to all the people who worked there, I hope things work out well for everyone and thank you. 6 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Brasher Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 I was touched by my message from Richard Davies. It is the first time any model shop has thanked me for my custom and probably the first time anyone has thanked me for doing anything. I started ordering items from Hattons in August1966 when I ordered six Hornby Dublo Pullman cars which I have still got. They arrived while I was on holiday in the Isle of Wight with my 0'level results as my post had been diverted to my holiday address. Over the last 20 years I have been keeping my Hattons receipts which amount to 100. I was surprised by how many model cars I had ordered. I have also kept a couple of their Best Sellers Brochures. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted February 23 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 23 Yes very touching . Truly you can say they did it well right to the end . Not many businesses can say that . Well done and best wishes to all 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted February 23 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23 55 minutes ago, Robin Brasher said: I have also kept a couple of their Best Sellers Brochures. Soon to be appearing on eBay!! Mike. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albie the plumber Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 (edited) I felt quite touched reading that , as if he had written to me personally. Quite sad Hattons are no longer there . All the very best to their former employees . Edited February 23 by Albie the plumber Spelling ! 1 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 A nice touch. So glad it included a note on what has happened to some of the staff and that several of them have found new employment within the hobby. Bernard 2 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BoD Posted February 23 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23 I’m sitting in a hotel in Glasgow ready to go off to Model Rail Scotland tomorrow when I checked my e-mails and saw this. Sad. Poignant. Touching. Appropriate. All of those and more - but typical of the personal way in which Hattons have dealt with their customers over all of these years. 4 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 1 hour ago, BoD said: I’m sitting in a hotel in Glasgow ready to go off to Model Rail Scotland tomorrow when I checked my e-mails and saw this. Sad. Poignant. Touching. Appropriate. All of those and more - but typical of the personal way in which Hattons have dealt with their customers over all of these years. Also sitting in a hotel in Glasgow with same Saturday mission!! I don’t know the individuals involved but am a past Hattons customer with, at times, an almost constant procession of boxes wrapped with string. anyway the impression I get from Richard’s post is that he is the boss that I aspire to be - someone who cares about his team and has high integrity. Top bloke by the sounds of it and I hope he (and his previous team) go on to other successful ventures. Sad to see the end of Hattons but happy to see them end in a respectful way rather than going out with debts and leaving people high and dry. Sadly this is a rare thing these days… 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ERIC ALLTORQUE Posted March 12 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 12 Perhaps not all doom and the name lives on We are pleased to announce that we have now brought “Hattons Model Railways” into the Rails family! It was a shock to the modelling world earlier this year, when stalwart of the industry, Hattons, announced that it was to close. At Rails, we could not allow the legacy of this esteemed brand to disappear and we have sought a way to keep the spirit of Hattons alive. Many customers reached out to us, dismayed, that the valuable resources on the Hattons website such as the product database and expansive “Directory” system may be lost forever. Rails will soon relaunch these services and will continue to update them with new information. While the original Hattons store and business will remain closed, this iconic brand 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rasalmon Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 On 12/03/2024 at 18:49, ERIC ALLTORQUE said: Many customers reached out to us, dismayed, that the valuable resources on the Hattons website such as the product database and expansive “Directory” system may be lost forever. Rails will soon relaunch these services and will continue to update them with new information. The best part of their web site/marketing/sales system for me was their Trunk (and pre-Trunk) since it enabled me to gather deliveries together into a bundle, making the best use of combined delivery. So here's a vote for Rails to roll that on. I've been both a satisfied customer of both Rails and Hattons in the past (and looking forward to receiving some of the new batch of Hattons' Genesis coaches through Rails very soon) :-) 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Harbour Posted March 15 Share Posted March 15 6 hours ago, rasalmon said: The best part of their web site/marketing/sales system for me was their Trunk (and pre-Trunk) since it enabled me to gather deliveries together into a bundle, making the best use of combined delivery. So here's a vote for Rails to roll that on. I've been both a satisfied customer of both Rails and Hattons in the past (and looking forward to receiving some of the new batch of Hattons' Genesis coaches through Rails very soon) :-) Totally agree about the trunk. For overseas customers it was an absolute game-changer. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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