HISTORY

I just thought I'd add a few words on how North London Models came about. My own personal interest in models came about when I was a young child and I had both Scalextric and several train sets and enjoyed them both. Around the age of 9 my family moved from Worcestershire to Prestatyn in N Wales. There was a short interim period when I lived in the family caravan which was located on the opposite side of the valley to the Talyllyn steam railway and recall watching the trail of smoke left by these narrow gauge trains.

Once in Prestatyn I used to meet my father off the 18.30 usually a massive class 40. One day I noticed train spotters and yes I caught the bug. A keen interest in both the model and real trains continued into my 20s when for one reason or other I drifted away from my hobbies.

A few years on and a move to North London my younger brother was working in a tool hire shop which started to sell dolls houses and later Airfix kits and Games Workshop Warhammer figures. Sadly the shop closed down but my brother maintained his interest in modeling and retail.

By this time I already had my own small shop repairing HiFi equipment and I hoped my brother would start a modelshop. We looked at a few places but with no funds and unenthusastic banks the idea was almost dead. By luck we came across a shop unit where the agents wanted the front to be used to discourage vandalism etc. We looked at our dire money situation and decided on a shop share situation where I would sell trains and diecast and my brother would sell Airfix and Warhammer. In December 98 we opened with just about £200 stock. More luck we came across a closing wholesaler who was keen to sell paint and kits at a bargain price. Every penny was put back into the business and we also did many toy fairs and soon we were growing.

MORE RECENTLY

By 2000 the shop premises had been sold for redevelopment, so following the decline in HiFi repairs we moved all the models into the repair shop. It was very cluttered to start but gradually the clutter of derelict HiFi is diminishing and the shop is slowly developing although some machines are still there the shop is well on its way to becoming a dedicated modelshop (The last repairs being moved to the backroom). These days we have over £12000 in stock and I still haven't made a penny as all takings are still being invested in stock. Our lack of cash did cause some problems and we haven't been able to raise the minimum £2000 required by Hornby but we must thank the many suppliers who have supported us including Bachmann, Riko (Sadly now gone), Javis, Metcalfe, Superquick, P&D Marsh to mention a few. Most of all we thank our customers who have supported us throughout. Early in 2003 my brother decided he could no longer manage on a part time income from his evening job, so I took over the business completly with help from my brother when he is available.

TODAY (2006)

The shop business continues to grow at a slow rate but still running at a loss, its one of those little shops you may miss once they close. Hopefully this will not happen but there will become a day when working in the shop for no wage will have to change to a profit or close. The shop functions for the benefit those that wish to use it and as long as people wish to use the shop we will endever to stay open. It is very simple Use it or Loose it - this applies to many a local shop regardless of their trade. Overall business is up (2004/5) which is amazing considering attempts by local councils to harm businesses by draconian parking regulations and even the congestion charge has an effect despite being outside the zone! I am hopeing to keep the business in London but have considered relocating places as far afield as Shepton Mallet, my madist idea yet is a floating modelshop based in a narrowboat!- only about 1ft narrower than the shop!

THE FUTURE

As mentioned we hope to make the whole shop models (and maybe even a bit more tidy- some like it like this, they find hidden gems often there for the asking) and hopefully we may start to make some money and continue to build a successful (profitable) modelshop- its up to you.

 

Kelvin Houghton.