Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 28 March 2022

A BRAND NEW model and hobby shop will open in Hinckley town centre with a ‘soft launch’ next Monday (28 March).

The shop, named Model, Collect and Create (MCC) is owned by Barwell-based model railway manufacturer Bachmann EU – and their company director has described the branch as a form of ‘in-person’ marketing and their local link to the people of Hinckley.

It carries many model kits inside, including a model of the Titanic, ships, railways, planes, ships, trains, and World War II modes of transport, like tanks.

Adults looking to build a collection from their childhood can pick up Thunderbirds kits, and parents can get their hands on Thomas the Tank Engine sets for their children.

It is based inside of the former Emmaus charity shop on Castle Street, and Bachmann bosses expect the store to be officially open up to town-goers and visitors after Easter.

A spokesperson for Bachmann, which owns Model Collect Create, has stressed that the store cannot officially be classed as a ‘traditional’ model shop, as they only carry select lines, that being their own brands and partners, not a wide variety of others.

Workshops and demonstrations will take place over the year, but MCC will give their customers prior notice in advance in posts through a Facebook page for the shop.

Project Manager, Jon Gibbs, said: “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.

“Within the store, there is a fantastic range of materials to support school projects and encourage creativity. We have a great team here who can’t wait to welcome visitors”.

Terence, a Store Assistant at MCC Hinckley, is a passionate model enthusiast himself, and is looking forward to helping inspire customers on Monday.

He said: “I’ve been building for three and a half decades myself.

“I would suggest small-scale kits to those looking to build and more advanced ones to the experienced modeller.

“People like me will help customers in discovering what inspires them into building.”

A Director for Bachmann EU revealed that the firm had their sights set on heading to Hinckley pre-pandemic.

They explained: “We had initial plans to come to Hinckley before the coronavirus pandemic had hit, and we were initially looking at the property now occupied by Perfume Scentral located on Station Road.”

Model, Collect and Create (MCC) will be open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

It will be closed for the day every Tuesday.

And, on Sunday, it will only open with reduced hours – from 10am to 4pm.