We’re sorry to report that high-end figures and collectables creators Big Chief Studios, whose range included Captain Scarlet, Doctor Who and other figures, has been forced to cease trading.
Their web site is still live but all the company social media has been shut down.
BIG Chief Studios Ltd. was founded by Mark Andrews and Tony Leetham in 2011, industry professionals with more than thirty years experience working with licensed characters and brands, developing a company that specialised in the manufacture of high-end figures and collectables.
Their range included a range of figures inspired by the Gerry Anderson TV series such as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and UFO, and Doctor Who collectables, too.
“Having gotten through the global pandemic, the subsequent numerous knock-on effects have combined, creating a perfect storm that has extended delays to both the manufacture and release of our products,” the company’s Managing Director, Mark Andrews, outlines in a statement on Big Chief Studios web site.
“The current cost of living crisis and economic downturn have resulted in plummeting sales, which has seriously impacted our ability to continue and for us to be able to negotiate the renewal of our key licenses with any certainty.
“I have carefully considered the financial position of the Company and following receipt of specialist advice from Begbies Traynor, I have concluded that the Company is unable to pay its debts and can no longer continue to trade. The necessary steps need be taken to place the Company into creditors’ voluntary liquidation.
“…Having worked tirelessly for over a decade to deliver high-end collectables, it is deeply wounding for myself and the team. I am sincerely sorry to all our loyal customers and apologise wholeheartedly for the situation.”
We’re sorry to hear of this closure as we know many downthetubes readers were fans of the Big Chief range.
• BIG Chief Studios are still, for now, online at bigchiefstudios.co.uk
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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Being that I paid in full for the Laurel & hardy set in November 2019 £380 and had more than a dozen emails with Big chief studios with new delivery dates that they failed to deliver I hope these people never run another company again. Pre-order in full payments should have been placed in a protected bank account instead of being used to keep the lights on.
Well said Richard totally agree I’ve lost £600 In preorders it’s not good enough all money for preorders should have been safeguarded