Meet the Judges
Model Shop of the Year is a key initiative celebrating the dedication of independent model shop owners, their families, and teams.
Petra Bones - Partnerships Account Manager (Scouts)
Petra Bones is the Account Manager for Airfix’s partnership with The Scouts. She works with the Airfix team to provide Cubs volunteers and their Cubs an introduction to the world of model building and to help them achieve their Cubs Hobbies Activity badge.
Petra was previously in a similar role at Demelza Hospice Care for Children, is a Cubs Leader in Whitstable and is passionate about supporting young people to achieve their potential, whilst having fun along the way!
About Scouts
Scouts actively engages and supports young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. Every week Scouts give almost half a million people aged 4-25 the skills they need for school, college, university, the job interview, the important speech, the tricky challenge and the big dreams: the skills they need for life.
Scouts work in partnership with Airfix to provide Cubs Leaders with an opportunity to introduce Cubs to the world of model building and in doing so, a gateway to history, engineering, and creativity, fostering a sense of achievement and curiosity.
Malcolm Childs, Founder and Chairman (Models for Heroes)
As a modeller from a young age Malcolm has a keen interest in model making. Once his young children had returned to school he filled his time by guiding new model makers with in the charity Help for Heroes.
Finding that the activity was incredibly powerful for mental health and wellbeing the organisation Models for Heroes was created. In 2020 Malcolm was awarded the Points of Light award by the office of 10 Downing Street for his work with model making, mental health and Armed Forces Veterans.
About Models for Heroes
Models for Heroes (M4H) is the first charitable organisation in the UK to support the use of model making hobbies to promote wellbeing with former and current Armed Forces and Emergency Service personnel. Models for Heroes’ key aims are to support former and current Armed Forces & Emergency Service personnel within the UK and overseas territories, and to promote the use of model making as a therapeutic, meaningful activity.
Andy Parkins, Shed Head (Broadstairs Town Shed)
Andy was apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner and on completion of his apprenticeship worked in the MGM film studios at Elstree/Borehamwood, much of this time in special effects. On leaving MGM he started his own business making custom built furniture.
After visiting a Men’s Shed in Perth, Australia, where he saw the great work they were doing, he became involved with the embryo Town Shed in Broadstairs and is proud to be a Founder Shed Head. His other interests are local history, railways, he's a volunteer at Crampton Tower Museum too, and he has a large-scale model railway in his garden.
About Broadstairs Town Shed
Broadstairs Town Shed is a safe and welcoming space for over 50s to come together, share their knowledge and skills, and build friendships through a shared interest in woodwork and making. Tackling loneliness and social isolation is at the heart of what we do. Working 'shoulder to shoulder' on community and individual projects keeps our members curious and provides a great sense of purpose and wellbeing. We know 'making' is good for the soul.
Broadstairs Town Shed is part of Men’s Sheds Association, the support body for Men’s Sheds across the UK. The Association works hard to inspire and support the development of as many Men’s Sheds as possible, for the benefit of men’s health and wellbeing.
Paul Reader, Commercial Director (Toymaster)
Paul has been with Toymaster for 24 years, holding key roles such as Product Manager and Marketing Director before stepping into his current position as Commercial Director. His career in the toy and hobbies industry began with 16 formative years at Beatties of London, where he gained invaluable experience in model and hobbies retailing. He then transitioned to buying roles at ELC and Hamleys, further honing his expertise in the sector.
Paul discovered a deep passion for supporting independent retailers and joined Toymaster Ltd, a group with over 40 years of experience dedicated to helping independent bricks-and-mortar retailers thrive.
About Toymaster
Toymaster is a national association of 280 locally owned specialist toy shops across the UK and Ireland.
Every Toymaster store is unique, so has different requirements and plans. Toymaster’s role is to get to know each of our Members so they can provide them with the individual support they each need for their store and business. Through a comprehensive infrastructure of support and advice, Toymaster empowers its members to navigate an ever-changing and challenging retail landscape.
Toymaster members are central part of their local communities. They get involved in local activities and support other Independent Retailers in their towns to encourage customers to shop local.
Judging Criteria
The campaign highlights the vital role these shops play in their communities and within the hobbyist world across the UK. Judges will evaluate finalists based on the following three pillars:
1) Supporting Local Communities
The shop’s impact on the local area through events, workshops, and partnerships with community groups and businesses.
Engagement with youth initiatives that inspire participation and nurture the next generation of hobbyists
2) Promoting Hobbies for Mental Wellbeing
Efforts to highlight the positive mental health benefits of model-making, encouraging relaxation, mindfulness, and social connection.
Providing a welcoming, inclusive space where customers can discover or rediscover the joy of hobbies.
3) Creating Memorable In-Store Experiences
Unique elements that make the shop a true destination, from knowledgeable staff to immersive displays and engaging events.
How the shop fosters a sense of belonging and excitement for both seasoned hobbyists and newcomers.
How the Winners Were Chosen
The Model Shop of the Year 2025 competition combined expert judging with public participation to celebrate the best independent model shops in the UK.
Each of our four judges assessed the five finalist shops across the three key categories. Alongside the judges' evaluations, we also incorporated the public vote, giving it equal weight to the three judging categories.
To determine the winners, we used a sum of wins approach—counting the number of times a shop was ranked as the best in each category by a judge. This method allowed us to recognize not only the overall Model Shop of the Year winner but also outstanding shops in each category.
Congratulations to all our finalists, and a huge thank you to everyone who voted and supported their favourite model shops!