Danemouth Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 Modelzone opens in Cardiff, St David's Centre on 16th October. Wonder how that will affect Ian Allan and Antics which are also in Cardiff City Centre? Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
squeaky Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 I'll certainly pay them a visit as I work in Cardiff. Don't think much of the current 2 offerings(being into US HO) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butler Henderson Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 Modelzones are a bit hit and miss as to what they stock, my local one is virtually strictly OO only with only the occassional appearance of anything N (other than Oxford Diecasts) and has never seen anything HO on its shelves, despite a large number of US military personnel in the area, so you might be no better off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwales Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 They are opening in Swansea as well, October 2nd Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
magic_monkey09 Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 The more the merrier I say Antics will probably be cheesed off seeing as they stock alot of Airfix, remote control cars and Scalextric although I can't see it affecting Ian Allan much being mainly a bookstore aswell as a model shop Here's where the store will be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted September 13, 2010 Share Posted September 13, 2010 It looks as though they are opening four or five shops a month at the moment. Birmingham, Leicester and Ipswich last month, cambridge, swansea, cardiff next month - Peterborough soon. I wouldn't be surprised if we see another 10 or so before Christmas This seems to be following a pattern - Beatties had 60 locations, then disappeared in 2001. There was a similar company in the 70s (I forget the name) I'm not convinced this expansion is sustainable - and from all the insider advice I've recieved, traditional model shops, that can offer a greater range, and helpful advice, should have nothing to fear. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butler Henderson Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 Was not Beatties part of a larger retail chain that got into difficulty through one of its home / carpet shops going bust and taking everything with it. Even so the expansion does seem odd but if they do follow Beatties example price matching is likely Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derekl Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 My impression of ModelZone (I visited the one in Manchester, although I don't think I bought anything there) is that they are not very price competitive and somewhat unimaginatively stocked on the railway front. I suspect they concentrate more on non-railway items. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacer lover Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 hey any new model shops should be welcome tho may take some busy off other . due to local of this make help to get new people in to the hobbey being in the main shopping center . cant wait to it open to look rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Adam1701D Posted October 10, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 10, 2010 Beatties really went downhill after they started diversifying into toys and home computers, etc. SO long as MZ don't go down the same road, they stand a chance of survival, though you can't beat a proper model shop that knows what it is selling! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linners Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 I have always been curious as to whether any of the senior management/shareholders of Modelzone are in some way connected to the old Beatties chain? As for 2 Modelzone stores opening up in South Wales, I am ALWAYS pleased to see new Model shops opening up in my area, but from my own experience of Modelzone, their range is far too diverse to cover any of the product ranges in sufficient depth and their pricing seems to be at the MRRP. I don't think that they will trouble Ian Allan too much, because they are focussing primarily on book and DVD sales 9despite stocking OO and N gauge items), but I'm not so sure about Antics, as their product ranges are very similar - I guess it will depend upon prices, quality of service and availability! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torn-on-the-platform Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 I always seem to be close to a modelzone and I will always go in if I see one. I have only ever made one purchase from a modelzone however because everything is priced at the RRP. There are obvious negatives to this, but on the bright side it does mean that they hold onto some stock for longer as they can't always sell it - I've never been in a modelzone without seeing an NRM Flying Scotsman! So if there's an item of stock that all the local model shops have run out of, I would suggest having a look in Modelzone. They are always in good, prime locations, the three I visit often are Meadowhall, Bluewater and The Glades in Bromley, so I can go in an have a look at the new releases in their display cases without going out of my way, another plus, seeing all the loco's they can offer out of their boxes, though not so good if you are buying the last of their stock for that particular engine! As I said, I have only ever made one purchase from Modelzone as I prefer to support my local model shop rather than a large chain. It is always nice to have a chat about the item you are buying, forthcoming releases, the owner's opinion etc and almost everything is cheaper! As Modelzone is a chain, you are far less likely to have this experience as many of their employees will be working purely for the money, or their interest and expertise will lie in the other products they sell. Having said this, their staff have always been friendly enough to me even though I never buy anything there! I'm sure many presents bought in Modelzone have started off an enthusiasm for railways! Whilst I choose not to shop there, I still think that any new Modelzone should be welcomed by our community! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted October 10, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 10, 2010 Antics in Cardiff has a history going back to Bud Morgan's old shop, so it would be a great shame if they were hurt by this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danemouth Posted October 12, 2010 Author Share Posted October 12, 2010 Visited Modelzone in St David's Centre today. Mainly Hornby all full price and not the best of selections, some scenic scatter materials and that's about it. In and out in 5 minutes! Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacer lover Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 hey was in cardiff today went to see where it going to be and it was open, thought it didnt open untill sat. had a good look around , a lot model cars , kits and a range of Hornby stuff mostly full prices tho there 15% Hornby stuff this week . i did buy some wagons for treat for my self lol is it normal for modelzones not to stock Bachmann range ? as they had signs up for the limit edition from Bachmann :S rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 Visited Swansea Modelzone this morning - it was as I expected a bit of a disappointment. Reminds me very much of Beatties in their latter days. Model Railway stuff was mainly Hornby with some Gaugemaster and the usual paints, knives etc. Full RRP so wouldn't think of buying much there , Holt Model railways have nothing to fear down here and I doubt that any of the shops in Cardiff will be quaking in their shoes !!! No Bachmann stuff at all and no N scale. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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