Review Future - Is this the end of the line?
Posted by John Clutterbuck on
As readers of Review 139 will know, we plan to close the Review at the end of the current volume 18 - issue 144 unless someone comes forward to take it over. This has prompted a lot of emails and discussions on internet forums, etc.
Firstly I would like to thank everyone for the kind compliments about my efforts in keeping the Review alive. I only got involved by helping Roy after Bob Barlow passed away as I didn't want it to die, and of course none of us expected Roy to leave us so soon, leaving me with both the day-to-day administration as well as preparing and publishing the magazine itself.
Given the inevitable speculation I would like to clarify a few things:
- There is still a significant readership maintained largely through word of mouth, forums, etc. Promotion at exhibitions and the wider model press may well attract more.
- Unlike the big monthlies, there is a very little income from advertising.
- The business returns a modest profit although our time/wages are not really factored in.
- Storage and pack & despatch are done by Lavenham Press, but obviously at a cost to us.
- We own the Title and IP for the Review but not RCL Publications which remains with Angela, Roy's widow. As you may know we decided to not publish any more books ourselves.
- We have a full archive so digital or print on demand is a potential future revenue stream for anyone taking over the business.
- I maintain the website (hosted on Shopify) and have developed a lot of automation which significantly eases order processing - day to day admin can be largely managed on a smartphone from anywhere.
- I would provide a lot of support to anyone who wanted to take over the baton as clearly I would like it to continue too, but we would need to be certain they would maintain the same quality level.
Serious enquiries only please - we've already wasted well over a year with one party which came to naught.
John
I would echo the comments above. There is definite value and potential expansion to be had by visiting exhibitions – My own introduction to the magazine, though I was dimly aware of it before, was in seeing Bob Barlow with a stand at an exhibition. Once I saw it for myself I was sold!
I would be very sad to see the end of the Review, I cannot offer talent but if an increased cover price would assist in any way I would be willing to support it. That said the print on demand idea for back issues is a great idea. I have followed the magazine for many years but still have some gaps in back numbers.
Sad to hear the end of my favourite rail magazine may be approaching, I hope someone comes up to rescue it. Thanks for the issues I have enjoyed and I wish you the very best of health and the best of luck for the rest of your retirement. You’ve done a splendid – job you should be very proud!
Hello from the States; I’ve subscribed for many years now, and have been buying the Review since the very early 1990s, I have a full set going back to #1. I’ve been dreading the day when the announcement is made to close the review for several years, but sadly none of us is getting any younger, and the hobby has changed so very greatly since the olden days. I do hope someone comes forward to continue the magazine, but in some ways, “going out at the top” is preferable to slowly sinking into a shadow of its former self. Jeff Saxton