Salisbury Model Centre wins “Model Shop of the Year 2025” from Hornby Hobbies, recognized for community focus.
They were a finalist in January. Customer nominations helped them get there. A panel from Hornby Hobbies reviewed them. About 150 shops were nominated.
Public voting also helped them win. Experts on a panel also judged the shops. These awards honor great model shops, and support local hobby communities.
The awards show the benefits of hobbies. They also inspire new hobby fans. Clive “Oz” Osbaldeston owns the shop, and his community work stood out to judges.
He makes hobbies accessible to everyone. Oz learned about the award on Friday, the 14th, and said it felt amazing and unreal. Oz hopes for more customers now and wants the word to spread that model shops have great hobbies.
Being the best shop feels crazy to him. Andy Parkins judged the shops for Men’s Sheds, praising Oz’s approach to selling models, and said the shop is a place for everyone to enjoy.
Parkins liked Oz’s work with Models for Heroes. He wants to help youngsters join modelling, as many now miss the benefits of hands-on crafts.
Petra Bones judged the shops for The Scouts. She liked Salisbury Model Centre’s support, as they help Models for Heroes too, recognizing that hobbies help mental health a lot.
Paul Reader from Toymaster was another judge. Oz has a great story and loves the industry. He is passionate about military models and took over a business and improved it.