Coronavirus information

UPDATE • 2nd OCTOBER 2020

After Sunday 11th October we will be closing our order books for custom etched products until 2021.

We usually announce an autumn cut-off date for pre-Christmas delivery and continue to take orders for the following year, however in 2020 we are still dealing with catching up from the production backlog caused by the shut-down of our etching supplier during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. With this in mind, and with lead times still extended as the virus seems to be spreading again, we don't want to risk compounding the problem if production is further affected.

By pausing taking new custom orders we will also gain time to make some much needed improvements to our process, and enhance our product range.

Rest assured that if you have a custom order pending (or place one before this deadline) we are still working as quickly as possible to fufill these and aim to clear this backlog before the end of the year. We are also still selling kits and components from the Narrow Planet range and all of our marketplace partners, and the Thatcher Plates range for (mainly) 7mm:ft scale is largely available from stock.

We would like to thank you all for sticking with us during what has been a difficult year for everyone, and we look forward to opening up custom orders again as soon as we can in the new year.

Stay safe!



KITS AND COMPONENTS

At present we are still able to fulfil orders for any kit and component products showing as in stock on our website. We have a good supply of Meridian Models rolling stock kits in 009, which are simple to build and may provide a useful distraction in these uncertain times. Stock levels on EuroNG, 6point5 and Planet Industrials are also currently good. Our workshop facility is still accessible at present but we anticipate limiting despatching to once per week to adhere to the 'stay at home' policy, so there may be a short delay between ordering and shipment, and we appreciate your understanding in this.

BESPOKE ETCHING

At this time we are not able to consider any requests for bespoke etching beyond the custom products listed on our website.

OTHER UPDATES

As a small, specialist business we are facing a considerable amount of uncertainty over the next weeks and months. We have reserves to maintain basic operations, and help from the Government for small businesses has been announced, but a long period of disruption may be ahead. We have always valued and appreciated the support of our customers, which has helped us to grow and evolve over the past ten years.

We have now added a digital gift card product to our online store. This can be used for its intended purpose - e.g. as a gift to a family member or friend - or you may use them for yourself for credit against future purchases either online or at a show when the world returns to normal. These cards have no expiry date and can be purchased in £10, £25, £50 and £100 amounts. If you are able to put a little money in the "pot" now this will help to see us come out of the other side in good shape.

Narrow Planet gift card

Product development is continuing from our homes as practical, so we should have some good stuff up our sleeves for release later in the year.

Of course this is an unknown and very fluid situation, so if we need to revise any of our operations again we will be sure to provide further updates.

Take care of yourselves and your families, stay safe, and we look forward to catching up with you all again soon.

- the NP Team