I don't know if anyone has seen this, but announced on Monday last (8th January 2024):

Hattons Closure - Customer FAQ - Hattons Model Railways

While I haven't bought alot from them in the last couple of years, it is a shame that they are closing - they have been there since I started back in th '70s

Just hope all the staff find new jobs


Ed

A very sad day for our hobby with this unexpected announcement on Monday.

My heartfelt sympathies and good karma to all at Hattons from a very satisfied regular overseas customer, for their truly outstanding service and communications since I returned to the hobby 9  years ago. Their trunk service was extremelly useful and their method of shipping to EU countries to avoid the near to 100% "Brexit" tax / charges was genius.

Bill
 

The whole modelling world has been shaken by this announcement and nobody, with the exception of Hattons themselves, really knows why they've decided enough is enough.

Just a few years ago, they were probably the largest retail "box shifter" in the UK then things started to go wrong.

The tragic death of Keith Hatton, who was the real driving force behind their huge expansion was maybe the start of their troubles.  Their fall-out with Bachmann came at a bad time for them and I wonder if their very recent purchase of the US retailer MB Klein has gone slightly sour on them.

Who knows.  Whatever the reason, I used to deal with them regularly - not great spends but fairly often.  Then the bust up with my favourite manufacturer, Bachmann, forced me to buy locos and rolling stock elsewhere.  Maybe I'm the root cause .......................

As Ed said, let's hope the staff find good jobs quickly.  What a start to the new year !!!

The rift with Bachmann meant they no longer stocked new Graham Farish N gauge either, and I along with no doubt many others took our business to RoS for these items.

I've also read they have lost favour with Hornby as well

Along with the move to new premises a couple of years ago, maybe it all stretched them a bit too far?

Only the Hattons management will know for sure, but it very sad and a great loss to the hobby.


Ed

PS I've just forced myself to buy an American N gauge loco and some rolling stock in their sale.

Only to help them out of course    



Ed

Petermac said

The whole modelling world has been shaken by this announcement and nobody, with the exception of Hattons themselves, really knows why they've decided enough is enough.

Just a few years ago, they were probably the largest retail "box shifter" in the UK then things started to go wrong.

The tragic death of Keith Hatton, who was the real driving force behind their huge expansion was maybe the start of their troubles.  Their fall-out with Bachmann came at a bad time for them and I wonder if their very recent purchase of the US retailer MB Klein has gone slightly sour on them.

Who knows.  Whatever the reason, I used to deal with them regularly - not great spends but fairly often.  Then the bust up with my favourite manufacturer, Bachmann, forced me to buy locos and rolling stock elsewhere.  Maybe I'm the root cause .......................

As Ed said, let's hope the staff find good jobs quickly.  What a start to the new year !!!

From “Post #289,386”, 10th January 2024, 5:39 PM

Just saw this.

Model Trains, Train Sets, & Railroad Accessories | ModelTrainStuff - M.B. Klein Trains


Ed

Hmmm - interesting.  I wonder what's going on …………

All of this stuff in the papers is just alarmist nonsense. Looking at it logically, the model railway hobby will survive until the day when the last railway modeller actually shuffles off this mortal coil, to quote Hamlet! I personally can remember visiting Hamblings (The Home of OO Gauge) in Cecil Court, London; Allen Brett Cannon (ABC) at London Bridge; W&H, New Cavendish Street, London; Hobbytime of West Wickham; Kings Cross Models in York Way; Modelmania at Norbury Station; The Home of O Gauge at Raynes Park; and Tooting Bec Models. What do have they in common? They all disappeared decades ago. But new businesses arose to take their place, many online, and the hobby carried on.

Likewise, model railway shows have come and gone, but new shows have taken their place. This appears to be the natural order of things. It might be disappointing but, like London buses, another will be along shortly. My main concern with shows is not the quantity but the quality. I am fed-up with exhibition managers using the term 'high quality layouts' to describe the often poor specimens put before the paying visitor.

Terry

I totally agree with you regarding shows Terry.  I've lost count of the number of shows where there was only the odd layout worth looking at in detail.  Those that were worth a look were usually fenced off by a wall of visitors so one either waited for a space or gave up and wandered off somewhere else.

I also remember visiting Hamblings in Cecil Court and even then, wondered how in heavens name they covered what must have been huge overheads given their site.  Do you remember Gamages ?

Ou are Indeed right in that railway modelling will continue - even without Hatton's and Warley.

Another thing that really annoys me is predictive spelling.  Had I not checked before posting, you'd never have heard of any of the shops THEY thought I was talking about…….

Petermac said

Another thing that really annoys me is predictive spelling.  Had I not checked before posting, you'd never have heard of any of the shops THEY thought I was talking about…….

From “Post #289,508”, 22nd January 2024, 5:22 PM

 

Petermac said

Do you remember Gamages ?

From “Post #289,508”, 22nd January 2024, 5:22 PM

Oh yes!  Always worth a visit to Gamages at Holborn, especially at Christmas.

Terry