There's some interesting discussion from a business perspective occurring on WarSeer general with this topic. The general style consensus seems to be that it looks like a hair salon or high end boutique branding look. Which in some respects seems logical when one considered the small, jewel like objects of magic and wonder we call citadel miniatures. [Kirby impression]
Not sure the connotations that hobby shops have in the UK but in the states a universal belief they're dark and dingy and filled with
walker basement dwellers isn't as common. Oh sure there's people and places like that but there's just as many nice upscale stores as well. The point being that perhaps this is about dispelling that impression? The idea being that it dovetails with the high end boutique pricing model they seem to be going for.
Also more than a few former red shirt and HO corporate former employees have brought up some pretty interesting stories about people that walk in looking for something (my favorite being the person wanting a lawn mower
)
if they want a high end boutique image then it might have been any idea not to move out of shopping malls and high streets in the UK for lower rent areas. Nothing says high end like being surrounded by charity shops+empty units. Also being closed 2-3 days a week, most mornings and for meals doesn't really scream boutique.
