Whatever happened to Hornby shop demonstration layouts?

The last one I saw was in Modelzone in High Holborn (it was a very big shop). It was a Trackmat layout, that had had a couple of extra straights put in each side, to make it, as you say, 8x4. It sat under a huge plexiglass cover. I think they use to switch it on on the morning, and then off when the shop closed - the trains must have covered miles - it was there for a long time. I spent many a lunchtime in that shop - they had some very good sales, and many of my locomotives came from there.

How many of you remember the layouts that larger shops often had to demonstrate Hornby products? I would guess they would have been about 8'x4', and usually covered with perspex (or at least on the sides).  Typically double track ovals, sometimes on multiple levels.  

My memory is hazy, but they were very well presented.  I may be totally wrong, but I seem to recall some being coin operated (maybe for a worthwhile charity)?

Does anyone know, were these provided by or commissioned by Hornby, or did individual shops just build their own?  I know our local Fenwick had one for years, but I've seen them in many large department stores over the years.  I guess with model railways being less popular (despite a recent resurgence), and shop space being at a premium, they have all but disappeared.

So, does anyone know what happened to them, or indeed, can they still be seen today?

I think Hamley's on Regent St in London still has one.  Well, they did a couple years ago, at least.

How many of you remember the layouts that larger shops often had to demonstrate Hornby products? I would guess they would have been about 8'x4', and usually covered with perspex (or at least on the sides).  Typically double track ovals, sometimes on multiple levels.  

My memory is hazy, but they were very well presented.  I may be totally wrong, but I seem to recall some being coin operated (maybe for a worthwhile charity)?

Does anyone know, were these provided by or commissioned by Hornby, or did individual shops just build their own?  I know our local Fenwick had one for years, but I've seen them in many large department stores over the years.  I guess with model railways being less popular (despite a recent resurgence), and shop space being at a premium, they have all but disappeared.

So, does anyone know what happened to them, or indeed, can they still be seen today?

 Hello and good evening,Beales store in Bournemouth has one,its not coin operated but operated by a push button which times itself out,the layout is exactly as you describe them.I allways have a go on it whenever im there.
 

How many of you remember the layouts that larger shops often had to demonstrate Hornby products? I would guess they would have been about 8'x4', and usually covered with perspex (or at least on the sides).  Typically double track ovals, sometimes on multiple levels.  

My memory is hazy, but they were very well presented.  I may be totally wrong, but I seem to recall some being coin operated (maybe for a worthwhile charity)?

Does anyone know, were these provided by or commissioned by Hornby, or did individual shops just build their own?  I know our local Fenwick had one for years, but I've seen them in many large department stores over the years.  I guess with model railways being less popular (despite a recent resurgence), and shop space being at a premium, they have all but disappeared.

So, does anyone know what happened to them, or indeed, can they still be seen today?

I can remember back in the late 1960s,as part of the run up to christmas,mum and dad used to take me to Hamleys toy store in Regent street,in London to purchase some Tri Ang/Hornby goodies for santa to deliver on christmas day(happy days).I remember,i think,that there was a large layout that went around the top of the staircase(which was enclosed in a perspex frame).That year,for christmas,i received a Tri/Ang Hornby Winston churchill and three southern coaches.I think,correct me if im wrong,but wasnt Hamleys part of the Tri/Ang empire?
 I think there boast was "the largest toy shop in the world".
  Also,Clements department store in Watford used to have a very large layout in the 1960s and well into the 1970s,it must have been at least 20 feet long and at least 10 foot wide,it was multi level,with tunnels and the grand victorian suspension bridge as well,although i never actually saw anything running on it.I guess that this layout was built by the store and not tri/ang,as it was then.

Boswells in Oxford has one. 

Blurb for the Bristol and Somerset exhibition this October says "One of the Dublo Layouts is Expected to be A Dealer's Demonstration Layout As Supplied by Meccano Ltd."

Inspired by my own question, and the fact some of you confirm they are still out there, I am going to make a trip to Fenwick on Saturday and ask the friendly chap who works there if they still have it tucked away somewhere!

@Carltonf

Just for interest, please report back with your findings.

There are two layouts at the Hornby Shop, which is within Houghton Garden Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria. One layout is approx 6'x4' with in a perspex cover, and the other is located on the lower floor and is approx 20'x8' with perspex sides. Both layouts run all day. While my dearest looks round the garden centre I tend to wander off to the hornby shop and reminisce.