Whitehaven gun shop owner sees business grow at new base

Cumbria Tackle and Guns moved from its previous base on George Street in recent months after owner Paul Armstrong said the business had outgrown its former shop layout.

Mr Armstrong, who took over the business nine years ago, said the move had brought fresh opportunities to display more stock and improve the experience for customers.

A range of guns on offer at the store (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “Ultimately, I was running out of space. The shop layout wasn’t good.”

The business, which caters for anglers, shooters and pest-control customers, offers equipment for newcomers as well as more experienced enthusiasts.

Its shooting range includes air rifles, shotguns and Section One rifles, subject to the relevant licensing requirements.

Items for sale in the shop (Image: Newsquest)

Cumbria Tackle and Guns is the only business in the area to combine both a tackle and gun shop under one roof, according to Mr Armstrong, although other standalone retailers are serving the two markets.

Mr Armstrong said the business has built a particularly loyal local following, with repeat customers forming the overwhelming majority of trade.

“About 95 per cent is just repeat custom,” he said.

A gun on display in the store (Image: Newsquest)

However, Whitehaven’s visitor economy also brings people through the door. Mr Armstrong said recent customers had travelled from Finland and the Netherlands, reflecting the area’s appeal to holidaymakers as well as residents.

The move itself was a major undertaking, completed while the shop continued to trade.

Mr Armstrong said: “I shut around there on the Saturday as normal, moved a lot of the stock with help from friends on the Sunday, did a lot of sorting out on the Monday and then opened as normal on the Tuesday morning.

Shooting decor on display (Image: Newsquest)

“I was still putting stock on the walls at 2am that morning.”

Much of the work to transform the Tangier Street premises was carried out by Mr Armstrong himself, including decorating and adding personal details to the interior. He said the project took longer than anticipated, but he was pleased with the result.

Alongside the physical shop, Mr Armstrong has developed an online presence, including online sales and a blog. He said small independent businesses need to adapt as customers increasingly research products before setting foot in a shop.

Original artwork depicting a stag (Image: Newsquest)

“People do a lot of shopping online before they even leave the house because they want to know the product is there,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mr Armstrong said he plans to continue serving customers while building online trade.

A vintage lamp feature in the store (Image: Newsquest)

“If you don’t move with the times, you just get left behind,” he added. “It’s just a case of continuing where I am, serving the locals and expanding online where I can.”