The loss of Ian Allan was bad news for modellers in Birmingham city centre, but all is not lost. One of the managers has stepped in to fill the void with Tornado books and hobbies.
Situated beside the Law Courts and beside a multi-storey car park, it's only 3 minutes walk from the nearest Wetherspoons pub so not great problem to get too once you know the location. OK, it's not right in the town centre, but pretty close.
Inside, the place looks like a cut-down version of the old shop. There are plastic kits, transport books, a good range of paint (Humbrol, Tamiya and Viello), Woodland Scenics, magazines and glues. Not bad for the early days.
I came away with some Tamiya paint, but will be back in the future.
Tornado Books and Hobbies website.
I'm really pleased to see this. the only problem is that it isn't close enough to New Street to pop out to between trains
ReplyDeleteWith a name like "Tornado", anyone could almost be forgiven for thinking that the shop "majors" in aircraft and military.
ReplyDeleteWould such an assumption be borne out by what you saw when you were there?
(OK - the fact that I'm having to ask probably tells you that I haven't been to Birmingham for a while - but ... .)
It is military and transport heavy, but there is rail stuff and this is a new shop. The split is about the same as old Ian Allan, but with about 30% of the stock.
ReplyDeleteThanks - that is pretty much what I would have expected.
ReplyDeleteIf / when I next get chance to visit Birmingham, I'll probably check this shop out.