Maplin's slide into the history books of corporate failure was progressive and very sad. Around 20 years ago I bought Elna Cerafine electrolytics there, and also Eminence Kappa high power 15" bass guitar drive units. They progressively discontinued those and other superb products and went into things like radio control cars and drones and similar tat.
The multiple changes of hands between investors and private equity is detailed in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maplin_(retailer)
My preferred suppliers are RS, Farnell and Mouser. Second tier are Rapid and CPC.
Craig