Hi Mark, they still do and still are!
The Milton Keynes shop is still open and their On-Line shop - signs of the times 🤔
https://alshobbies.co.uk/als-hobbies-milton-keynes-bucks-model-shop

https://alshobbies.co.uk/als-hobbies-hainault-essex-model-shop

https://alshobbies.co.uk/als-hobbies-online-store-models
Cheers Doug 😎

HI Jim, Al's hobbies used to have massive ads in the model mags, and seemed to be doing very well!!!!

Mark

Al's Hobbies in Hainault closed a couple of weeks ago.

When did the Hainault shop close
I thought he did well.

Hi used to servise fire alarms all over UK (mainly) East Anglia, and have been in a few oer the years, but they got less and less.

The ones that seem to survive, do shop sales and internet, prbabley the only way to survive.

Oh well, saves Alan having to drive all the way from Spain to collect his stuff!!! 😉

Today I bought two sheets here in Spain of veneer . Two metres long by 12 inches wide each sheet. Cost was ten euros and I can cut whatever dive I want. That will last till I am well past it.!!

The shop in New North Road and it is now closed.

Highly reminiscent of the situation here in Germany 🤔

A good model supplier is in New North Road Hainault.Essex. I buy my wood there but the owner says I am a rarity. Most people want aeroplanes or helicopters ready made.

yes Andy ,Argyle models that's another name from the past ,Harburn hobbies are still up the top of the walk near where the TV studios used to be. Cheers Marky

Yes, Marky used Harburn hobbies, when they were down the bottom of Leith Walk - I know they moved at some time to Elm Rowwhich is effectively the top of the Walk.

Do you remember Argylle Models when they were on the High Street, just round the corner from PT's?

you would probably have been a Harburn hobbies man ,which is still going strong ,because I was a wee boy back then the 2 woman who I thought as old would probably have been in their 50s I think they were modellers they had a great knowledge and I remember drawers upon drawers filled with every decal that was imaginable shelves full of Airfix and Keilkraft kits they also stocked exotic American kits by Aurora ,I remember one of my brothers buying Frankenstein ,Dracula etc with glow in the dark parts.

Hi marky

No I don't remember "Central Wood Crafts", until I went to Saudi Arabia in 1978 mostly interested in Model Railways (still am). in Saudi took up flying (models that is) as a hobby - Day job was to keep a Lightning Simulator 'Flying' (proper aircraft the Lightning).

My local Model Shop went the same way earlier this year. it is truly sad that youngsters today do not want to build their own models, preferring instead to purchase ready built.

Society generally now buys consumer goods with very short lifespans and choose to replace with new rather than repair. Not surprising then that our children adopt the same approach to their 'toys'.

It's not just the model shops that are disappearing, most high streets are totally changed from my youth of the 50's/60's.

I do wonder how many would cope if some celestical force wiped out all the satellites and we lost the on-line facility? With more and more stores in out of town centres it's to be hoped we don't suffer another fuel crisis, I can still remember the rationing from last time.

.... or models! 😁😉

Were the 2 old dears modelers too👍

]

just saw andyg009 mentioned Marionville models in Edinburgh ,Andy dont know if your old enough to remember central wood crafts 50+years ago in Duke street Leith it was run by two wee old women i think i spent half my childhood and all my pocket money in that shop ,it was a modelmakers emporium .

Guilty as charged Ken 😭
But then the few model shops left in Bavaria seem to be all aircraft / heli / drone oriented 🤔 Any half decent boaty shops are in north Germany near the coast (must be the salt air!😉)
But there are several excellent on-line shops specialising in boats / subs and associated electronic modules.
Cheers, Doug 😎

Heard today that Swindon Model Centre was now closed.
First time I went in there was in 1972 when I was based at RAF Lyneham, which has now been closed as an RAF station.
Every time I returned to the UK they were still there) never forgave Rose for snubbing me in favour of Jan, but hey ho that's life, just hope it won't be another pound shop or nail bar !

I agree - many of us use the internet, I do as my local shop is limited, and the I cannot always justify the travel to Leeds (good shop in Leeds) they do about 50% on line.

Years ago in Edinburgh (30 years +), I used Marionville Models, they were at Marionville (funny thing that), then moved to near Turnhouse and apparently were just as good.

That apparently closed, and the company was sold - not it is manly internet based.

The internet is useful, but it is nice to touch and hold when one is buying - I try to buy from shops, if I can (not just for model boats).

I can see the day when all specialised 'shops' will be internet based - that will be a Sad Day................

There are still a few as here
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=london+model+shops&oq=London+Model&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j35i39j69i59j0l3.17093j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

HJN's shop?

308. it was like a shrine to modelers across London. Just like HMS in South Croydon. But said in the piece, internet, we use it for the prices, but what a price!!!!

Mark, gilty as most of us are