A shop that’s served generations of York residents is sadly closing its doors at the end of this month.
P&S Hobbies and Models has been a one-stop shop for railway related products, tools and modelling equipment, as well as a reliable go-to for model repairs, for over 40 years.
Owners Paul and Sue Lamming established the brand in Scarborough in 1979, and opened their second destination in York during the late 80’s.
The Walmgate site has now been purchased by property developers, and the store is set to close on 25 January to be redeveloped into flats.
Paul and Sue were given the news just before Christmas, which came as a huge shock.
Paul told YorkMix: “The saddest thing about it are the customers who have been coming in for years, who are now coming to say goodbye.
“We’ve had a few old duffers in this week who have all been in tears,” he added.
Paul and Sue were initially told that they had until Easter 2025 until they needed to vacate, but the termination of their rolling lease was brought forward due to structural issues.
When redevelopers came in to assess the site, major structural problems were discovered in the empty upstairs flats.
Paul said, “about a week before Christmas Eve, they came in and said it’s in a worse state than they’d thought.
“They said it’s pretty dangerous, and they needed us to leave at the end of January, if possible.”
New lease terms
Although the pair were given the option to stay, they said the new landlord’s terms made it impossible for them to comply.
“It was around double the rent and a non-negotiable ten year lease,” Sue said.
The couple had only planned to work a few more years before retiring, so a fixed ten year lease was unrealistic.
“As it’s non-negotiable, if we were to retire we would have to sublet it to somebody else, which would become incredibly complicated,” Paul added.
Following the closure, they plan to continue sales through their website, and move the stock from the York store over to their Scarborough site, where they will work full-time.
Although it’s not ultimately the end of P&S Hobbies and Models, some of the customers they serve in York have turned into long-term friends of the couple.
A regular, Pete, popped in during the interview, and Paul told us, “He’s a prime example, we’ve known him for nearly 50 years and he was a military modeller.
“His son’s also a military modeller, so comes in too and he’s grown up with us. So that’s what it’s all about,” Paul said.
Customers first
For Paul and Sue, P&S Hobbies and Models has always been about delivering reliable and fair service.
Over the years Paul has developed a Mr. Fix it reputation, often mending miscellaneous things for regulars that have nothing to do with models.
“I’ve done toasters, I’ve done vacuum cleaners, it doesn’t matter what it is. I hate throwing stuff away, and if something can be fixed, I’ll fix it,” he shared.
Only charging for the pieces needed to fix things and not the man hours, the shop provides a service that many consistantly rely on.
So much so, customers have been known to travel from as far as Southampton to get models fixed at the York store.
“I never charge anybody, I just fix it. And if the bits they need are two quid, they pay two quid.
“I’ve never, ever in my life, ever charged anybody for what they should have paid.
“People nowadays genuinely get ripped off with so many things,” Paul told YorkMix.
Loss to the city centre
The closure of P&S Hobbies and Models will be felt by many loyal customers across the city.
When Paul and Sue revealed the news to their Facebook page earlier this month, it was met with frustration and sadness.
Some of the comments read:
“So sad to learn about the closure of the York shop, that has been the “go to” model shop in York for so many years.”
“The end of an era with the York shop shutting, but on to a new chapter with the refurbishment of the Scarborough shop. I shall see you there.”
“Worth the ride to Scarborough when we stay with family in York Paul, look forward to to seeing you and Sue at your rebuilt venture!”
If you wish to visit Paul and Sue before the closure, make sure to head down to their Walmgate shop before next Saturday (25 January).
Good luck!