Member Article

Hornby to quit Margate after 61 years

Hornby Hobbies, which shifted its warehouse to Hersden, near Canterbury, last summer, has announced plans to move to The Gateway, Discovery Park in Sandwich in May.

The model railway company will relocate its sales and marketing, account and human resources departments to the new Sandwich site, ending 61 years in business in Margate.

All 150 staff will transfer to Discovery Park, the former Pfizer site, which was granted Enterprise Zone status by the government in 2011.

Nick Stone, group finance director at Hornby plc, said: “Our current offices were no longer fit for purpose and we considered Discovery Park to have the best office facilities available.

“The site also offers room for us to grow, an innovative environment to do business and a positive ethos, gained from being based amongst other businesses there.

“In theory, we could have relocated anywhere, however we were intent upon staying in East Kent for a number of reasons, not least because of the many loyal and experienced employees we have here, but also due to the area’s regeneration and transport links.”

Anna Stone, leasing manager at Discovery Park said, “We’re delighted to welcome Hornby, a brand leader and well-loved household name, to the site. Discovery Park is the place to do business and this is evidenced by the fact that we have grown from five original tenants to more than 100 in just over two years.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .