Just to mention that, if you're up that way, this shop currently (last Thursday) has one of the best selections of 1/144 I have seen in a real shop for some time, as well as a good bits and bobs selection.
Just across the hill from there, West End Model Centre in Colne is mainly trains with a small selection of kits including some well priced Academy/Minicraft 1/144 but looks good for tools and bits for them as scratchbuilds.