Brick Fanatics enters a new era with new owners

Hello fellow Brick Fanatics.

Regulars will know this site has gone from being a personal blog called Bricks and Books to one of the largest LEGO fan sites in the UK and beyond. For the past few years this site has been at the forefront of the LEGO news scene. In that time our presence on social media has grown, with the site now boasting over 10,500 followers on Twitter! We’ve also seen contributors come and go but one thing that’s remained has been the dedication of the site to be one of the first to bring you any LEGO news. However, nothing lasts for ever.

For the past few months I’ve been in talks regarding passing on the website. This site hasn’t gotten where it is without a lot of man hours being put in. That is now something I struggle to do on a daily basis. As the site has grown, my own athletics career has taken off, to the point I’m now a sponsored athlete and have already taken part in races to represent my country. I’m now training full time and my passion for running outweighs my passion for LEGO. The passion I once got seeing new set images is no longer there, whilst this year I have been very critical of a lot of products released by LEGO. This is why I felt it was in the best interest to find new owners who are bigger LEGO fans then me, to take over and inject fresh blood and passion into the site.

Those people are Rob Paton and Tim Doel, who have agreed to take on Brick Fanatics through their company, Tiro Media Ltd. Rob’s name will sound familiar as he is also the Editor of Blocks magazine. So you know he knows his LEGO. They are bringing in Graham Hancock to be the day to day editor of the site. Graham is Deputy Editor at Blocks and also runs his own personal LEGO site All About Bricks. The majority of the current contributors will also stay on board as the site transitions.

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I feel the site is in very good hands with these guys and it’s in the best interest of the site to make it even better going forward. I want to clarify that, while both Rob and Graham have connections to Blocks, this site will remain a separate entity, just like it was while I wrote for the magazine. I would like to now pass over the announcement to Rob & Graham.

Rob: ‘We are delighted to be taking on the responsibility of running Brick Fanatics, to continue and build upon the great work that Richard has put in over the years. Tiro Media Ltd is myself, Rob Paton, and my business partner and friend, Tim Doel. Our company specialises in websites and online content and we are excited by the potential that a LEGO website such as Brick Fanatics can offer readers. Having followed the site since its very early days, it is an honour to be given this opportunity by Richard to be a part of its future. Thank you Richard.

‘We are pleased to confirm that Graham Hancock will be the site’s Editor. Having worked with him for over a year on Blocks magazine, I know and trust that Brick Fanatics’ editorial direction for the future is strong.’

Graham, Editor: ‘It’s an absolute pleasure to be taking on this role at Brick Fanatics – I can’t wait for readers to see some of the great content we’ll be sharing in the coming weeks and months. Our team of Brick Fanatics will continue to keep our loyal readers up to date on everything going on in the world of LEGO.’

The new future starts from today, July 1, and I will still be around behind the scenes helping the new owners get used to the site etc. I would like to thank LEGO, especially Kim T, No Starch Press, Norton PR, Warner Bros UK, Danny L from Firestar Toys, Minifigs.me, The Minifigure Store and United Bricks. All these companies have helped make the site and will continue to do so with the new owners. I would also like to thank everyone who has helped to contribute to the site over the years РAsh, Chris, Barry, Luc, Keith, Tristan, Nicola, Sarah, S̩b and Adam. This site is as good as it is because these people gave up their free time to contribute. And finally thank you to you the fans Рwithout you guys visiting the site, I would not be writing this now and I hope you continue to do so under the new owners.

Richard

Author Profile

Rich
Founder of Brick Fanatics. I'm Richard Hayes a 34 year old runner based in Sheffield. However I'm better known as the Mohican Runner due to my very distinctive hair style. I've gone from 20st to a runner, I've raised over £1.3 million for charity by doing various running challenges.

I'm supported by Absolute360,SockMine and Tribesports.

Currently I have a 17:20 5k PB, 36:02 10k PB, 81:11 HM PB & 3:08:24 for the marathon.

You can find me on my blog http://mohicanrunner.co.uk

YouTube video

Rich

Founder of Brick Fanatics. I'm Richard Hayes a 34 year old runner based in Sheffield. However I'm better known as the Mohican Runner due to my very distinctive hair style. I've gone from 20st to a runner, I've raised over £1.3 million for charity by doing various running challenges. I'm supported by Absolute360,SockMine and Tribesports. Currently I have a 17:20 5k PB, 36:02 10k PB, 81:11 HM PB & 3:08:24 for the marathon. You can find me on my blog http://mohicanrunner.co.uk

12 thoughts on “Brick Fanatics enters a new era with new owners

  • 01/07/2016 at 13:29
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    Thanks for everything you’ve done Rich. You’ve built an impressive following and I look forward to continuing to work with Graham and the others on maintaining this LEGO legacy 😀

    Reply
  • 01/07/2016 at 12:22
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    Hey Rich,

    Thanks for all your hard work and being such a welcoming force for people, like me, emerging from their Dark Ages and looking for a place to start. Best of luck for future endeavors!

    Reply
  • 01/07/2016 at 11:13
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    If I get a choice it will be a mohawk before a mohican!

    Congratulations on everything you have achieved Richard, I’m looking forward to flying the fanatic flag.

    Reply
  • 01/07/2016 at 09:37
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    Sad to see you pass on the prestigious baton that you’ve built here but I can completely understand the reasons for it and appreciate that you have the sense to allow it to grow under new leadership rather than hold on to something that you don’t have the same amount of time for.

    Rob has given us the confidence that under his and Grahams leadership as well as the continued support from contributors that the website will continue to dish out great content. It will be interesting to see the new direction for the site but I think just for nostalgia Rob or Graham should get a Mohawk…

    – Danny

    Reply
    • 01/07/2016 at 09:56
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      Firstly thanks Danny and I agree the guys I feel will take this site further then I could.

      however secondly I dont have a mohawk, I have a mohican. a mohawk is Mr.T. Reducating folk all time hahahaha

      Reply
  • 01/07/2016 at 09:23
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    Sad to see you go Rich but all the best for the future. Certainly made a few good friends through BF and i hope that it does continue strong.

    Good luck with the new venture guys and will speak soon no doubt! 😉

    Reply
  • 01/07/2016 at 09:12
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    Thanks Rich for making this site what it is today Good Luck for the future, from what I can gather the site is in safe hands and will continue to grow. Also welcome to the new team looking forward to working with you.

    Reply
    • 01/07/2016 at 09:54
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      Thanks nick and for your contributions

      Reply

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