This is a local shop for local people but we don't stock Britains.......... (1 Viewer)

[Naps...just Naps]

I have been trying to use WB's website "retail outlet locator" to find a local store which stocks WB in S.E. England.
I have found that many of the so called WB retailers in the UK are model and hobby shops which do not stock and have never stocked WB soldiers.^&confuse

They do however stock train sets and diecast models which leads me to believe that WB have loaded Bachmann's retail outlets on the WB website which is not very helpful.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Modelzone had their problems and limited stock but at least it was a bricks and mortar local store to get your WB fix and allowed the buyer to see at least some of the WB soldiers in the "flesh" before you bought them. It also made shopping with the wife more bearable. ^&grin I would nip into the local Modelzone while she visited M&S or somewhere.

Does anyone know of a store in the SE which has a reasonable stock and display of WB soldiers? I know about the MKL/Guards museum and Martells and they aren't exactly local.

I'm glad we are fast approaching the London show at the end of the month.

Paul

 

[thebritfarmer]

Can't help you with this one I'm afraid. I don't have a local shop at all so all mine is based on WB photos (and members postings on here) and having them sent in the mail. It can be a nice surprise and I have yet to be disappointed.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi There,

Not sure where you live but when I was over there a few years ago in Stratford on Avon I stumbled into a store near Shakespeare's home that had a decent selection of Britain's for sale. I hope this is a little helpful.

Dave

 

[Naps...just Naps]

Hi There,

Not sure where you live but when I was over there a few years ago in Stratford on Avon I stumbled into a store near Shakespeare's home that had a decent selection of Britain's for sale. I hope this is a little helpful.

Dave

Thanks for the info Dave but I live in South East England. Surrey to be exact so that isn't very local for me.
But it's still good info because I was talking to my wife recently about making a weekend visit to that area in the summer so this is one I'll keep up my sleeve for then:wink2:
Cheers
Paul

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Paul,

I am pretty sure you will enjoy the area! I found the countryside to be lovely and it reminded me of where I grew up in Western Massachusetts.

I also enjoyed the show in London and especially the preshow event! But while I was at the show it was for all of the small glossy makers you all are blessed with! I found so many cool items it was all I could do to make up my mind and actually make a purchase.

DAve

 

[Mitch]

Roxley models used to have some. a mate of mine who lives down there mentioned it and used them (not sure if they still do or how much). I think its Leatherhead where the store is.

My mate owns a model shop in York and they have a small display of Britain's nothing huge but will order stuff if you ask. I think that seems to be the way at the moment

Mitch

 

[PAXFORD]

I live in the North East of England and have the same problem, since modelzone closed I never get to see the soldiers in the flesh till purchase. But that is just sad fact of the demise of modelzone. What I fine more worrying ( this May be a coincidence) since Bachmann has taken over the uk distribution for W Britains the number of uk retailers have steadily dwindled and the price of Britains rapidly increase.
May be something to keep an eye in the future.

 

[Martin Tabony]

I live in the North East of England and have the same problem, since modelzone closed I never get to see the soldiers in the flesh till purchase. But that is just sad fact of the demise of modelzone. What I fine more worrying ( this May be a coincidence) since Bachmann has taken over the uk distribution for W Britains the number of uk retailers have steadily dwindled and the price of Britains rapidly increase.
May be something to keep an eye in the future.

Northumberland?

 

[marco55]

Hard to imagine that the most iconic toy soldier company in all the world,Britains can hardly be found in a shop of all places,Britain!What is the world coming to.
Mark

 

[PAXFORD]

Northumberland?

Tyne and Wear

 

[Martin Tabony]

Tyne and Wear

I'm in Morpeth

Martin

 

[PAXFORD]

I'm in Morpeth

Martin

You will no doubt be experiencing the same problem I do now modelzone closed. The nearest dealer I have found is in Brampton in Cumbria but i think he only orders new stock on order. Our only hope is that the new modelzone outlets inside WH Smith stores start selling W Britain in the future.

 

[Naps...just Naps]

Hard to imagine that the most iconic toy soldier company in all the world,Britains can hardly be found in a shop of all places,Britain!What is the world coming to.
Mark

Mark,
I totally agree with you.
We have toy, model and hobby stores all over this country but very few actually sell toy soldiers.
Maybe WB should do something about their marketing policies and become more "visible" to increase sales.
Or perhaps they are just happy as they are{sm2}.
Paul

 

[Naps...just Naps]

You will no doubt be experiencing the same problem I do now modelzone closed. The nearest dealer I have found is in Brampton in Cumbria but i think he only orders new stock on order. Our only hope is that the new modelzone outlets inside WH Smith stores start selling W Britain in the future.

I didn't know about the WH Smith/ Modelzone link. What's that all about?

I could buy my monthly Toy soldier magazines and toy soldiers in one hit^&grin

Paul

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Paul,

Not sure they actually like the situation but I wonder if the cost issues for most retail/brick and mortar operations is too high. I will ask Ken this question when I talk to him next. Its an issue every where from what I have seen and I can tell you in my wandering around the UK and Europe it is very difficult to find toy soldiers of any type. Certainly is an interesting discussion point.

Dave

 

[Naps...just Naps]

Roxley models used to have some. a mate of mine who lives down there mentioned it and used them (not sure if they still do or how much). I think its Leatherhead where the store is.

My mate owns a model shop in York and they have a small display of Britain's nothing huge but will order stuff if you ask. I think that seems to be the way at the moment

Mitch

Mitch,
It's strange you should mention Roxley. I looked at their website last week and it's currently down for construction.
I visited Leatherhead at the weekend but I couldn't find the shop. I gave them a call and they said they didn't stock WB but would order them in.

As you say this seems to be the way we are heading now.

Cheers
Paul

 

[leedsfromsouth]

I have been trying to use WB's website "retail outlet locator" to find a local store which stocks WB in S.E. England.
I have found that many of the so called WB retailers in the UK are model and hobby shops which do not stock and have never stocked WB soldiers.^&confuse

They do however stock train sets and diecast models which leads me to believe that WB have loaded Bachmann's retail outlets on the WB website which is not very helpful.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Modelzone had their problems and limited stock but at least it was a bricks and mortar local store to get your WB fix and allowed the buyer to see at least some of the WB soldiers in the "flesh" before you bought them. It also made shopping with the wife more bearable. ^&grin I would nip into the local Modelzone while she visited M&S or somewhere.

Does anyone know of a store in the SE which has a reasonable stock and display of WB soldiers? I know about the MKL/Guards museum and Martells and they aren't exactly local.

I'm glad we are fast approaching the London show at the end of the month.

Paul

Hi paul ,there is a shop in canterbury that does some wb , other than that i find the same problem in the SE

 

[Martin Tabony]

You will no doubt be experiencing the same problem I do now modelzone closed. The nearest dealer I have found is in Brampton in Cumbria but i think he only orders new stock on order. Our only hope is that the new modelzone outlets inside WH Smith stores start selling W Britain in the future.

I'm biased because I make a range of figures.^&grin Have you tried Ken at Maison Militaire. He's in Scarborough but I go down regularly.

Martin

 

[Naps...just Naps]

Hi paul ,there is a shop in canterbury that does some wb , other than that i find the same problem in the SE

I've never tried Canterbury. I'm always visiting the Kent coast so I'll check it out when I'm next down there. Thanks.

I looked on the WB website and the only shop listed for Canterbury is Burgate Antiques is that the one?

 

[Gazza]

Thanks for the info Dave but I live in South East England. Surrey to be exact so that isn't very local for me.
But it's still good info because I was talking to my wife recently about making a weekend visit to that area in the summer so this is one I'll keep up my sleeve for then:wink2:
Cheers
Paul

Paul

If you go to Stratford Upon Avon then I would suggest a 20 minute detour to Evesham, where Magpie (Manchester House) Ltd are.

They have a large amount of WB, (and TG, FL, KC amongst others) displayed in row after row of cabinets. It is a fantastic shop to go into for toy soldiers plus they have lots of military memorabilia from guns to helmets

Gazza