Bachmann Europe is launching its first high street retail venture – MCC (Model, Collect, Create) – which aims to bring hobbies back to the high street and foster a whole new modelling community.
Located in the Leicestershire town of Hinckley - close to Bachmann’s UK headquarters - the new 135m² MCC hobby centre will stock the company's imported plastic kit brands, model railway items, scenics, collectables, and educational/flying toys.
Reinforcing Bachmann Europe's Model, Collect, Create ethos, MCC will also be introducing a series of workshops and demonstrations through the year, while there will also be a children's craft and play table in-store to keep younger visitors entertained. Bachmann's plastic kit brands include, Trumpeter, Academy, Takom, I Love Kit, Suyata, Roden and others.
Project manager Jon Gibbs explained: “During the pandemic we have seen a huge surge in interest for modelling products, with people revisiting past hobbies and having more time to spare. The aim of the store is to get people to put down their screens and create something amazing using the products on offer and expert advice on hand. This is a store for all members of the family to enjoy, with products for all ages and abilities.”
The MCC hobby centre is set to welcome customers from Monday, March 28 on Castle Street, Hinckley, Leicestershire; it will even open on Sundays, but be closed on Tuesdays. It's hoped that the facility will echo the vibe of Games Workshop stores, where actual modelling/painting and the like takes place in store regularly. Bachmann managing director David Haarhaus, commented: “If this goes well, and the concept shakes down and is proven, then we may look at other locations. We are not looking to make money out of this... we regard this as physical marketing and a way of promoting the hobby."
Visit www.bachmann.co.uk for more information.
