Hornby, the model maker, is planning to move its visitor centre to a £1.6 million new home in Ramsgate, bringing an end to its 60-year tenure in Margate.

Images of the new base in two disused slipways at Ramsgate Harbour were revealed by developers Neath Properties, also located in the town.

Only a handful of workers remained at its Margate visitor centre, having moved 150 staff to a new head office in Sandwich in February.

Its warehouse operations were transfered to a facility in Hersden, near Canterbury, last year, as bosses tried to turn around the company which had posted losses of £1.1 million last year.

Hornby hopes to move into the new site in Easter next year.

Hornby, whose brands include Airfix, Scalextric and Corgi, hopes to move into the new 9,000 sq ft site in Easter next year.

It will house state-of-the-art model layouts of its Hornby trains, Scalextric slot cars, Airfix models, Corgi die cast and Pocher die cast models.

The company has agreed the lease on a two storey refurbished building called The Slipways.

Concessions manager David Howe said: “We immediately liked the location and the nearby history of the Sea-Front Railway station.

“We were keen to keep the attraction in Thanet but wanted to retain autonomy and the site at Ramsgate Harbour is ideal in both design and location.

“The Visitor Centre at Westwood attracted nearly 40,000 visitors last year despite its’ out-of-town location and we believe there is huge potential to grow the visitor numbers.”

Financial Director Nick Stone, who steps down from his post later this month, added: “This is a serious investment for Hornby as we complete a radical shake-up in the way we do business.

“Hornby and its associated brands have a broad selection of devotees ranging from young children through enthusiasts and collectors and Ramsgate mirrors this variety with an excellent Blue Flag beach, great café culture and restaurants. It also has a wonderful natural setting in the Royal Harbour.”

The company would also have the option of using another neighbouring boat ramp during busy periods.

Director Dave Hawkins said: “What we will end up with here now is a more streamlined, leaner operation with lower overheads which will make it far easier to remain in operation.”

The job of finalising the design and layout of the property has been given to Ramsgate architectural practice del Renzio & del Renzio.

Partner Ivan del Renzio said: “The original planning drawings gave a flavour of what to expect but we have done a complete site survey, plotted out the building and worked up 3D models of how the building will sit within its’ environment.

“Hornby have requested a few tweaks to the design to enhance security and usability and we have also been tasked by the developer to make the entrance a little grander.”

Jon Dahms from the Property Management Company in Ramsgate, which brokered the deal with Hornby, said: “In the absence of public money being targeted at Ramsgate it has been for the businesses to make the necessary investments in time, money and effort.

“Ramsgate is definitely on the up and I am glad to be part of it.”

Hornby has also revealed its non-executive chairman Roger Canham has joined insurer CCP Group as executive chairman.