Scalextric Brand Sold by Hornby to Purbeck Capital Partners for £20m

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The British hobby landscape experienced a seismic shift this morning following a major corporate announcement. Hornby has officially sold its iconic slot car brand, Scalextric, for a total of £20 million. This landmark deal marks the end of an era for the historic Kent-based model manufacturer. The buyer is Purbeck Capital Partners, a firm led by a highly experienced former spirits executive. For nearly sixty years, the slot car racing brand has been a primary revenue driver. Now, the parent company Castelnau believes this sale will unlock fresh potential for all parties. The decision follows a period of significant restructuring for the wider Hornby group recently.

For generations of British children, the name Scalextric represents the peak of competitive indoor racing. The brand was originally invented by Fred Francis in a Hampshire workshop back in 1956. Hornby eventually acquired the intellectual property and the manufacturing rights in the year 1968. Since then, the brand has sat alongside famous names like Airfix and Corgi models. These miniature worlds provided a massive boost for the company during the recent pandemic years. However, the modern retail environment requires a more agile and focused investment strategy today. The £20 million proceeds will help Hornby pay down debt and fund new growth.

Purbeck Capital Partners is a private investment vehicle managed by the veteran businessman Mark Brown. He is widely recognized for his successful tenure as the chief executive of Sazerac. Under his leadership, brands like Southern Comfort grew into massive global powerhouses over many years. This acquisition of Scalextric represents the first major investment by the Brown family office. Mark Brown spent nearly five decades in the United States building his professional reputation. Despite his long residency abroad, he maintains a deep appreciation for classic British heritage brands. He views this purchase as a chance to revitalize a truly beloved childhood institution.

The transition involves more than just a simple exchange of capital for physical toy assets. Mark Brown has established a new entity called Scalextric Motorsports to house the business operations. This new company will operate with a high degree of autonomy from its central base. Hornby will continue to manage the brand as an agent using its existing infrastructure. This arrangement ensures that logistical expertise remains in place during the early transition phase. Meanwhile, the infusion of cash allows Hornby to stabilize its balance sheet quite effectively. The company delisted from the junior stock market last year to save significant costs.

Richard Brown, the chief executive of Castelnau, expressed immense pride in the brand’s recent progress. He believes that finding the right owner is crucial for delivering long-term brand potential. The strategy focuses on ensuring that each business is led by the best possible team. Mark Brown will also assist Hornby with a wider strategic transformation over coming months. This plan aims to create a series of entrepreneurial and profitable independent hobby brands. By operating autonomously, these units can respond much faster to changing consumer toy trends. The goal is to build a sustainable future for the entire British hobby industry.

The new owner sees Scalextric as a perfect antidote to modern digital and online pursuits. Mark Brown intends to expand the brand into new areas of professional motor sport. He believes that physical racing helps children develop vital hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Families are increasingly looking for ways to balance screen time with real-world activities today. Competitive racing provides a tactile experience that video games often struggle to replicate fully. The brand has a unique ability to bring different generations together around a track. This emotional connection is what makes the slot car business such a valuable asset.

The financial history of Hornby has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows lately. The group enjoyed a hobby boom when people were confined to their homes recently. However, the regulatory burden of being a public company proved to be too heavy. Delisting from the Aim market saved the firm roughly £400,000 in annual administrative costs. Even the retail tycoon Mike Ashley has taken an interest in the company’s future. His Frasers Group currently holds a stake of nearly nine percent in the business. This involvement suggests that industry experts see untapped value within the heritage brand portfolio.

The sale of Scalextric represents a return to family-owned values for the historic racing brand. Mark Brown is energized by the opportunity to bring racing fun to modern families. He understands that heritage brands require careful stewardship to maintain their cultural relevance today. The deal ensures that the intellectual property remains in the hands of passionate investors. It also allows Hornby to focus its energy on its core railway model business. Brands like Airfix and Corgi will also benefit from the redirected corporate investment. The entire hobby sector will be watching this new chapter with great interest.

The legacy of Fred Francis continues to live on through every miniature electric car produced. From the early days in Hampshire to the global stage, the brand has endured. It has survived economic downturns and the rise of the digital gaming industry successfully. The current £20 million valuation reflects the enduring strength of the brand’s name and history. It is a testament to the loyalty of hobbyists across the United Kingdom and beyond. With fresh capital and a new vision, the brand is ready for another sixty years. The race is far from over for this iconic piece of British history.

In the coming months, fans can expect to see new product developments and partnerships. The autonomous leadership model will allow for more creative experimentation with track and car designs. By moving away from a rigid corporate structure, Scalextric can rediscover its entrepreneurial spirit. The partnership between Purbeck Capital and Hornby appears to be a win for everyone involved. It secures the future of a legend while providing the parent company with stability. For the collectors and the racers, the cars will continue to zoom around the tracks. The spirit of competition remains at the very heart of the Scalextric experience.

Ultimately, this transaction signals a broader trend in the British manufacturing and hobbyist sectors today. Heritage brands are finding new life under the guidance of private family offices and experts. These investors bring a long-term perspective that quarterly public reporting often discourages or prevents. The focus remains on quality, innovation, and the pure joy of the hobby itself. As the world becomes more digital, the value of physical play continues to rise. Scalextric is well-positioned to lead this movement under its new and dedicated ownership. The future of slot car racing in the United Kingdom looks incredibly bright.

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