SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

The current discussion on the tiles/plaques on King Charles Street reminded me of a past shop there - named for the street - that sold models of all types, and components/kits/paint/tools for home construction. It was opened around 1955 by Matt Ascough, a very knowledgeable and helpful man, and was eventually sold to Beatties of London. I can't remember when it closed.In earlier times I recall another shop on Wade Lane that catered to the modeller. Since then others have come and gone, but I don't know of anything similar in Leeds now, other than specialist wargame and fantasy shops. As for shops selling model engineering equipment/materials/tools/machines, the last I remember was the remains of the Meadow Lane business tacked onto the side of the Domestic Street Roundabout Post Office, which, of course, has also gone.Anyone got anymore memories on the subject?

I've just seen this thread after making a comment in the Signs of Old Leodis thread about the hobby shop on King Charles Street. It seemed to have a good stock. I always liked seeing the model cars etc that were in one of the shop windows.     

Yes remember it well, they had some great models on display, was it called Townsleys

There was Morley Models down in Morley Bottoms that I recall

There is still a model shop in the Merrion Centre ('Model Zone' I think) as you head out of the top end towards the future arena.I'm fairly sure it's the shop that used to be on the exit ramp down the side of Morrisons, but relocated.

raveydavey wrote: There is still a model shop in the Merrion Centre ('Model Zone' I think) as you head out of the top end towards the future arena.I'm fairly sure it's the shop that used to be on the exit ramp down the side of Morrisons, but relocated. I'm sure that's right raveydavey - something to do, I think, with preparations for the recently completed alterations to the exit ramp.

I seem to remember the "Dolls Hospital" shop in one of the Arcades doing models.

jim wrote: The current discussion on the tiles/plaques on King Charles Street reminded me of a past shop there - named for the street - that sold models of all types, and components/kits/paint/tools for home construction. It was opened around 1955 by Matt Ascough, a very knowledgeable and helpful man, and was eventually sold to Beatties of London. I can't remember when it closed.In earlier times I recall another shop on Wade Lane that catered to the modeller. Since then others have come and gone, but I don't know of anything similar in Leeds now, other than specialist wargame and fantasy shops. As for shops selling model engineering equipment/materials/tools/machines, the last I remember was the remains of the Meadow Lane business tacked onto the side of the Domestic Street Roundabout Post Office, which, of course, has also gone.Anyone got anymore memories on the subject? There were a pair of model aircraft shops, one in the middle of Merrion St and another a couple of shops up Woodhouse Ln. They sold Kiel Kraft kits and materials for modelling from basic principles. They also produced their own balsa cement probably by dissolving perspex shavings in chloroform, it was cheap but lousy. It regaled itself in the name of the street number of whichever of the two shops it was destined to be sold in, IE the one for Woodouse LN was called "54" (or somesuch).Imaginative Eh?There was also a second hand model shop on Meadow Lane in amongst all the ex-government radio & junk telly shops.

and I think there was a pretty good model shop in Pudsey, but can't remember if it was near the market square, or a bit further up the road ..... can't remember the name tho

Patexpat wrote: and I think there was a pretty good model shop in Pudsey, but can't remember if it was near the market square, or a bit further up the road ..... can't remember the name tho I think its at the very top of Richardshaw Lane, within yards of the main traffic lights, but I can't remember the name.