UK Enterprise 2020

238 | UK Enterprise Awards 2020 The model train is a quintessential image from boyhood. Very little can capture the wonder of these miniature mechanical marvels thrashing around the living room on scaled-down track. A trip to the model shop was a visit to a veritable Aladdin’s Cave, but as people buy more online, these shops have faded away. The team behind KS Models, however, has bucked the trend, acting as an ambassador for this branch of UK Enterprise. We take a closer look to see how they’ve done it. Aug20301 Hidden away in the heart of Stevenage Old Town is one of a decreasing number of traditional model shops in the UK. Established in 1980, KS Models has continually demonstrated the highest of standards for quality of product and customer service. Focused primarily on British Outline railway modelling, the team that run the shop are just as enthusiastic as their customers, offering an impressive array of items that would make even the most dedicated rivet counter blush. Model railways are not just focused on the trains. Every part of the landscape, from grass to buildings to baseboards must be accounted for. The team at KS Models have the space to offer customers all the tools and materials associated with such an extensive hobby, including kit building, die- cast, and slot cars. While many businesses have moved to online sales and mail order delivery, what KS Models offers is a ‘proper shop’. It’s key to the business model. Buying online is a way of getting items at great convenience, but cannot replace popping in for a browse, a chat, and the accidental discovery of something that you didn’t realise you needed. The team do their best to cater to everyone, offering a friendly welcome into a club that anyone can be a part of. Many customers have been involved in the hobby since childhood and find KS Models a welcome sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Beginners and old hands are treated equally here, with the aim being to ensure that the hobby continues to thrive for the generations yet to come. The word traditional belies the thought and care with which the KS Models team think about their customers, and nothing shows this better than the COVID-19 pandemic. Where many shops have shut their doors, the team at KS Models have been incredibly proactive in ensuring that their regular customers get the items they need to complete their miniature wonderlands. Those who are isolating or just unable to visit the shop as they ordinarily would do have been able to take advantage of a local drop-off service, allowing them to get those little bits and pieces at no extra charge. Model-making is an invaluable escape for many, and lockdown has increased its importance tenfold, which is why the team have made the effort to ensure that their customers can carry on. The benefits of a ‘classic old model shop’ for model makers are clear to see, drawing in an immensely talented and passionate clientele. That hasn’t stopped the KS Models team from looking at the way in which the hobby as a whole is changing, and the role that they can play in that change. As manufacturers develop more products and hobbyists embrace the potential of new technologies, it’s easy to see how the need for KS Models is constantly evolving. The development of online sales, improved social media channels and a more technological approach is a constant concern, but one which must not detract from the world that they already undertake. The needs of the customers are always at the front of their minds. KS Models is a hub for railway modellers in Stevenage. It’s somewhere that people come to relax and to immerse themselves in a world that is entirely under their control. The team know this better than anyone, because it’s how they think as well. The future is bright for KS Models, as they explore new ways of working, new ways of thinking – and muck about with a bit of glue and paint on the side! Company: KS Models Name: Russell Redwood Web Address: www.ks-models.co.uk Best Traditional Model Shop 2020 - Home Counties