RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted November 9, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 9, 2011 As has been said, a very sad day for the staff and for modellers generally. I shall have to sort out a final large order tonight for stuff that I use and isn't easily available elsewhere' I as a fairly regular user they will be much missed by me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Downendian Posted November 9, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 9, 2011 I wondered why they had pulled out of Warley. Shame I really enjoyed browsing their stand there, and at the Bristol show, picked up a lot of tools last time. Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan100 Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 On the same day as Comet too. Pleased to confirm that Comet Models is fit and well. It has been reported though that some of the Comet stores will close. I wonder if they'd accept a bid for one of those big illuminated 'Comet' signs? It would be just the thing to brighten up the gloom at the NEC. Geoff Comet Models Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted November 9, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 9, 2011 Absolutely gutted, didn't see that one coming. Really feel for the staff as I've always had great service from them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Their service is always very good indeed and their product range extensive. The cynic in me and with a business accountant's hat on I somehow find it unsurprising. What makes a perfect shop for the customer doesn't always make good business sense. All that stock, most of it small and what must be low profit margin items is never going to be good (except for the customer). I also suspect that the exchange rate has done them no favour. Having said that, I will miss them at shows, I regularly have a list to fulfill and frequently have bought that odd item on impulse after browsing the trays. I'm not a great lover of mail order but they always seemed to handle things with courtesy and efficiency. They used to be the only supplier of that type but now many of the items can be obtained at other "squires" like stands. Perhaps the competition caught them napping. As for Comet (the electrical retailer) no loss they lost their way in the market years ago and as for service - they didn't understand its meaning all based around the concept of pushing extended warranties - well that's the impression I had when I visited. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 sad news indeed, but unsursprising at the same time, although i was a very supprised that the business could support 23staff, perhaps this has had a major impact on cashflow etc, I have frequented on numerous occasions as the parents live 500yards away from the shop and i only saw two or three staff, so what were all the others doing.... a sad loss, but the administrator will be trying to find a buyer for it I am sure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jamie92208 Posted November 9, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 9, 2011 Having talked to Roger this week I'm more optimistic about the future and can confirm that the full Squires stand will be at the Wakefield show and Roger will be at Falkirk the same weekend. Jamie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMJ Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Speaking to a publisher of various magazines there are many traders that are struggling because there are supply issues and many of the spending public are being careful on what they spend money on. I don't want to be a bearer of doom and gloom but there will be others to follow. The other possible problem is that the clientelle that models railways is predominantly of retirement age and many of those at the top end of the age group tend to do less modelling as they get frailer. Everybody has a finite disposable income that they can spend on hobbies and as certain living costs have increased a lot this diminishes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Chambers Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Bad news indeed,was only in the shop t'other day, sympathies to all concerned.If Squires does not re-appear,can another source of those essential "bits and pieces" be recommended? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markeg Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Yes Disappointing to see a trader go in difficult times. I bought several items at the Bristol MREx this year and also after I arrived back home in Australia. I was thinking of placing another order soon too. Mark in OZ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Bad news indeed,was only in the shop t'other day, sympathies to all concerned.If Squires does not re-appear,can another source of those essential "bits and pieces" be recommended? Can't guarantee they cover everything, but I've always had good service from Eileens Emporium... http://www.eileensemporium.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS1977 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 And for the electronics side, Cricklewood Electronics are pretty good! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Chambers Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Many thanks chaps,will give 'em a try! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arran Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 HI ALL Looks to me they will be packing up one day and starting the next. Look at the show dates and when this was last updated. Regards Arran Shows & Events 2011 last updated 07/11/11 Nov 12/13 - TELFORD IPMS SCALE MODEL WORLD 2011 The Telford Exhibition Centre, St. Quentin Gate, Telford, TF3 4JH, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4.30. MAP LINK Nov 19/20 BIRMINGHAM - Warley National Model Railway Exhibition - due to unforeseen circumstances Squires Stand will not be exhibiting at the Warley Show this year. Nov 25/26/27 - WAKEFIELD 46th MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION, Thornes Park Athletics Stadium, Horbury Rd (A642), Wakefield, WF2 8TY. Fri 5:30 - 9, Sat 10 - 6:00, Sun 10 - 5. Easy access for disabled persons. MAP LINK Nov 26/27 - FALKIRK MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION, Forth Valley College (formerly Falkirk College) Grangemouth Road, Falkirk, FK2 9AD. Sat 10 - 6:00, Sun 10 - 5. Easy access for disabled persons. MAP LINK Shows & Events 2012 Jan 21/22 - LEAMINGTON The Leamington & Warwick Model Railway Society Exhibition, Stoneleigh Conference & Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh Park. CV8 2LZ. Sat/Sun 10.30-5.30. **Plenty of FREE Parking** MAP LINK Jan 21/22 - CALNE MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION, Calne Leisure Centre, White Horse Way, Calne, Wiltshire. SN11 0SP *Free parking at the Show*, Sat/Sun 10-5. MAP LINK Jan 28 EGHAM Model Railway Exhibition, Manorcroft School, Wesley Drive, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9LX, 10.30 - 5.30. MAP LINK Jan 28/29 KENDAL Model Railway Exhibition, Leisure Centre, Burton Rd, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7HX. Sat/Sun 10-5. MAP LINK Feb 24/25/26 - GLASGOW Model Rail Scotland, Hall 3 Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow, G3 8YW. Friday 10.30 - 6pm, Saturday 9.30 - 6pm, Sunday 9.30 - 5pm. MAP LINK Feb 24/25/26 BRIGHTON Model World 2012, The Brighton Centre, Kingsway, Brighton, East Sussex. Fri/Sat/Sun 10-5.30. *Our stand will be in the East Wing - same position as that we used to occupy* MAP LINK March 3 - KETTERING Gauge ‘O’ Guild Spring Convention Trade Show and Exhibition, Kettering Leisure Centre, Kettering Leisure Village, Thurston Drive , Kettering, NN15 6PB. Sat 10-4.30. MAP LINK March 3/4 - PRESTON Preston & District Model Railway Exhibition, Sports Hall, Preston College, St Vincents Road, Fullwood, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 8UR. Sat/Sun 10 - 5pm. MAP LINK March 31 PETERBOROUGH 16mm Association National Garden Railway Show East of England Showground, Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 6XE. Saturday 10 - 5. MAP LINK March 31/April 1 - BRADFORD Model Railway Exhibition. New Bradford Acadamy, Lister Avenue, Bowling Hall Road, Bradford. BD4 7QJ. Saturday 10 - 5. Sunday 10 - 4pm. www.bradfordmrc.co.uk MAP LINK April 14/15 MELKSHAM 2012 Trainwest Model Railway Exhibition presented by Bentley M/Railway Group, Christie Miller Sports Centre, Bowerhill Industrial Estate, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 6QU, Sat/Sun 10 - 5. MAP LINK April 14/15 - HORSHAM Crawley MRS Model Railway Exhibition, Tanbridge House School, Farthings Hill, Guildford Road, Horsham, RH12 1SR. Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4.30. ** PLENTY OF FREE PARKING ** MAP LINK April 28/29 - SUTTON COLDFIELD Model Railway Exhibition, Bishop Walsh School, Wylde Green Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1QT. **Plenty of FREE Parking.** Sat 10 - 5, Sun 10 - 4.30. MAP LINK May 4/5/6 - The Bristol Model Railway Exhibition, The Thornbury Leisure Centre, Alveston Hill, Thornbury, Near Bristol, BS35 3JB. Friday 1pm - 7pm, Saturday 10 - 6.30pm, Sunday 10 - 5pm. MAP LINK May 12 - READING The Association of Larger Scale Railway Modellers Trade Show and Exhibition, Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading. RG1 8EQ. Sat 10-4.30. MAP LINK May 19 BOGNOR REGIS The South Downs 7mm NGA Group SWING Model Railway Exhibition, St Mary’s Centre, Grassmere Close, Felpham, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO22 7NU. About 5 mins by car from our shop. Sat 10 - 4.30pm. www.swing.model-railway.org.uk. Plenty of Free Parking. MAP LINK June 2 - HALIFAX Gauge ‘O’ Guild Summer Convention Trade Show & Exhibition, North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax, HX1 1XH. Sat 10-4.30. MAP LINK June 23/24- PERTH Model Railway Exhibition, Dewars Ice Rink, Perth, PH2 0TH. Sat 10-6pm Sun 10-5.pm. MAP LINK Aug 4/5 - SOUTHWOLD Waveney Valley Model Railway Exhibition, Saint Felix School Southwold, IP18 6SD. Sat 10 - 5pm Sun 10-4.30pm. MAP LINK Aug 11/12 MIDLAND RAILEX, Midland Railway Centre, Butterley Station, Ripley, Derbyshire, DE5 3QZ Sat/Sun 10 - 5. MAP LINK Aug 27/28 - NORTH SHIELDS Model Railway Exhibition presented by Blyth & District Model Railway Society, The Parks Sports Centre, Howdon Road, North Shields, NE29 6TL. Sat 10-5pm Sun 10-4.pm. MAP LINK Sept 1/2 - BLACKBURN Blackburn & East Lancashire MRS Model Railway Exhibition, Hyndburn Leisure Centre, Henry Street, Church, ACCRINGTON, Lancs, BB5 4EP Saturday/Sunday 10 - 5.00. MAP LINK Sept 8/9 - TELFORD GUILDEX 2012, The Telford Exhibition Centre, St. Quentin Gate, Telford, TF3 4JH, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4.30. MAP LINK Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted November 10, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2011 HI ALL Looks to me they will be packing up one day and starting the next. Look at the show dates and when this was last updated. I'm confused now - are they ceasing trading or are they not? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I'm confused now - are they ceasing trading or are they not? Could it just be a change of business format? Or a reorganisation of the different parts? Some clarity on the website would help - especially those of us hoping they will continue to be in business and attending shows. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyC Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 A great pity, bad news for us and, of course, their staff. I've used them for some years and always had excellent service. I do wonder, though, if the list of exhibitions they attend is part of the problem. I was on a layout next to them at Dundee and thinking back do wonder if the amount of business I saw them doing could possibly have covered their hire of stand, fuel, accomodation etc for what is a long journey from the South of England. It might be of course that they saw it as advertising and the subsequent mail order sales made it viable. Jeremy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliepetty Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Bit of a shame I agree but sadly as this recession bites he won't be the last! The N Gauge lines people from Kent have just handed back the buisness to its former owner, Terry is back trying to pull it round. He needs ALL our support as it has been drastically run down. On the Kit & Component side this is going to collapse soon as not enough sales at the 'Normal Small Shows' to justify companies expenses to get there, hotels & stand rentals. Charlie P (DC Kits & Empire) PPS We are not on our way out, just adjusting our product ranges to suit todays market!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmrspaul Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Can't guarantee they cover everything, but I've always had good service from Eileens Emporium... http://www.eileensemporium.com/ At what price? Squires were excellent for proving many similar lines, but at different prices for different qualities. The Tesco of our hobby. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Russan Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I too have sympathy with all those losing their jobs so close to Christmas. just adjusting our product ranges to suit todays market!! I agree with Charlie on this, I have been consolidating and changing my range, one aspect being adjusting my range to reduce the overlap with Squires over the last 2 years. I will now have to review this position but I will wait for the final position to become crystal clear before taking action. Also improving customer experience with easier access to mail order by having a user freindly web site and trying to speed up deliveries. I can understand customers expecting to see specialist suppliers at all shows. Some show managers are excellent at balancing the traders attending with as much care as they balance the layouts, however some managers simply see traders as a source of revenue and have too many competing traders for the size and nature of show. Additionally, simple factors like the cost of fuel can have massive effects on the profitability of attending shows. The demise of Squires should be seen as a reality check to all, traders, show managers and customers. Derek Eileens Emporium Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Russan Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 At what price? Squires were excellent for proving many similar lines, but at different prices for different qualities. The Tesco of our hobby. Not entirely true, if you have looked at my site recently you will see that I have been adding multi-packs of many items including Straight Wire, Drills, Nuts and Bolts, Slaters, Package deals on Compressors and Airbrushes, and more to come given time. Also I am always prepared to discuss prices for large quantities and trade discounts. Derek Eileens Emporium Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 The great benefits of dealing with Squires is that they hold such a broad range of products. So if you need some switches and LEDs for the control panel, a couple of drills, some plasticard and a new bit for your Antex, one call deals with it. I have written about Squires in the present tense as they are still trading and hopefully will continue in the future, as Arran (Post #40) has already alluded to We need such specialist retailers as Squires. Unfortunately it's an area where there is a fair bit of competition, but to do it right needs commitment and a lot of investment. Unfortunately those sorts of business are too often damaged by the small trader who plays at it as a part time occupation. The demise of the local model shop (at least those that stocked bits for model makers) has meant more reliance on the mail order suppliers and those that attend shows. I need a number of items for my model making requirements, so I'll be taking a long list to Wigan. There is no way I can buy what I need locally and mail order charges can become expensive. Squires provided free P&P for orders over a certain value, something others could look at if they want a competitive edge and are operating out of low cost premises (compared to a High Street shop). Jol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
14Steve14 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 This has come as a big suprise. Its a shame when a valued trader is forced to close. Saying that i do think in most cases, possible not this one, but traders should be able to change with the times. Not having a sensible website would have put many people off. I just started selling the same type of products. The wewbsite is bringing in an income and this has allowed the purchase of more items in stock, although in small quantities. I am now at the stage of thinking of opening a small shop. I suppose i shall have to have a major rethink. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Alco Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Unfortunately there is no such thing as "Free P&P". The costs are still paid for by the customer whether above or below the line. A packet of tools and modelling bits sent could easily be costing £3 in postage cost alone to Royal Mail alone, before packing. That's quite a slice of a £20 mail order transaction which may have items on thin margins to start with because of competition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Unfortunately there is no such thing as "Free P&P". The costs are still paid for by the customer whether above or below the line. A packet of tools and modelling bits sent could easily be costing £3 in postage cost alone to Royal Mail alone, before packing. That's quite a slice of a £20 mail order transaction which may have items on thin margins to start with because of competition. Agreed and that may have been part of Squires viability problems. However, item cost plus postage has to be seen as the total cost of buying by mail order/online. Too often the P&P charge is a profit centre in its own right, which is rather annoying if you are only after one item, possibly of low cost and then have to pay considerably more by way of a minimum delivery charge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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