The move of Frizinghall Models and Railways to Baildon has now been completed and the new shop opened on Monday 3rd April. The shop is on the first floor of a new warehouse building, but a lift is available for the less able of our customers, it is air conditioned, a customer toilet is provided, and a seating area is available for non-enthusiast partners! All the existing staff, except the previous owners Stephen & Elaine, have transferred, so most of the faces will be familiar to regular FMR customers.
All the same product lines, plus some new ones are being stocked, and all the Hornby International ranges are also coming into stock soon.
Many of you will recognise the address as being that of John Ayrey Die-Casts, but the FMR shop is completely separate from the Trade Area of John Ayrey's, and has its own entrance. There has been much speculation on the internet about the involvement of John Ayrey Die-Casts, but it is quite simple - John Ayrey and his father bought their first model shop at Frizinghall back in 1950, they subsequently opened further shops in Huddersfield, Leeds and Manchester under the trading name of 'Bradford Model Railway Centre'. When John's father died in the 1970's the Bradford shop was sold to Mr Wilson, a long standing customer, and the name had to change to avoid confusion with John's other three shops - hence it became Frizinghall Models & Railways. Stephen Wilson is the son of the original purchaser and now wishes to retire from the model shop, although he will continue to be involved with the 'Model-It' range of lights, etc. and will continue to run the Meccano shop.
In addition, the present Managing Director of John Ayrey's Norman Hinchliffe, started his career in the model trade as a schoolboy at Huddersfield in the 1960's, so there has been a nearly 70 year connection between the two Companies.
When Stephen and Elaine were unable to find a buyer for the business, the owners of John Ayrey Die-Casts stepped in to save the business from closure. As the lease for the old premises had come to an end it made sense to re-locate to the new building which is easier to access and has ample customer parking - even for a 40t artic!.