- Modelzone
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Modelzone 
Type Limited Industry Retail Predecessor Model Aerodrome Founded Brighton, UK Headquarters West Sussex, United Kingdom Number of locations 39 Area served England Products Scale models
ToysWebsite www.modelzone.co.uk Modelzone Limited (often typeset ModelZone and Model Zone) is a model and toy retailer based in West Sussex in the United Kingdom. The company has 39 stores, and is the UK's largest model retailer.[1]
Contents
History
Beginnings as Model Aerodrome
Originally known as Model Aerodrome, the company started with one store in Brighton.[2] This was sold, and the new owners then began to purchase other stores, in Crawley, Eastbourne, Guildford and Maidstone, and brand them as Model Aerodrome.[2] During the mid-90s a computerised stock control system was implemented, and in 1995 and 1996 respectively, the company opened stores in Croydon and Plymouth.[2]
Expansion and name change
In March 1999, after the opening of their eighth store in Bluewater, Kent, the company changed its name to Modelzone.[2] They then eventually acquired a number of stores which used to be part of the Beatties chain of model shops (which had closed when its parent company, ERA Group, placed it into administration)[3][4] vastly expanding the Modelzone chain. An example of one of these stores is the one in the MetroCentre, Gateshead. Half of the companies stores are in the south-east of England. By 2010 the company has grown to 39 stores with another store opening in York soon. By October 2010,they now have stores in Cardiff & Swansea.[5][6]
Modelzone also stock exclusive limited edition models made by Corgi and Hornby.[7] Alongside its own retail website, the company is also a listed seller on Amazon.co.uk.[8]
References
- ^ "Model Zone". St. John's Shopping Centre. http://www.stjohns-shopping.co.uk/stores/atozofstores/7258.aspx. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ a b c d "About us". Modelzone. 2008. http://www.modelzone.co.uk/about_us.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ "ERA Group". UK Business Park. 2001. http://www.ukbusinesspark.co.uk/erp92067.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ "Is this the era of penny dreadfuls?". London: The Independent. 2000-04-05. http://www.independent.co.uk/money/invest-save/is-this-the-era-of-penny-dreadfuls-720830.html. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ "MP signals opening of new store". Yorkshire Evening Post. 2007-03-14. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/business-news/MP-signals-opening-of-new.2119575.jp. Retrieved 2009-01-26.[dead link]
- ^ Shaw, William (2008-08-22). "Model-making: it's a small world". London: The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/3559135/Model-making-it%27s-a-small-world.html. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ "MZ Exclusives". Modelzone. http://www.modelzone.co.uk/mz_exclusives.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ "Model Zone". Amazon.co.uk. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&me=A3P1IKTMLG8W7W. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
External links
Categories:- Retail companies of the United Kingdom
- Companies based in West Sussex
- Toy retailers
- Companies established in 1937
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