11:28 AM PST, 10/20/2010
In 1989 Barry Clare was trading as NORTH WEST SURPLUS,selling at militaria shows,Steam Rallies etc.When the Berlin wall came down in Germany,there was suddenly access to lots of interesting stuff that would become collectable.Also at this time there was a mass de-militarisation in Europe as the Cold War ended - "there will never be another war again"said the governments....so lots of bases closed,soldiers were reduced to minimal levels,and loads of kit got surplussed.
Barry carried on doing the mobile selling at shows,but in 1990 opened the BUNKER shop in Leyland,Lancashire.Linda Clare took over most of the sales duties and became a partner in the business running the shop right through the 1990s.The BUNKER shop was very popular with Cadets,TA,service people as well as having lots of interesting collectables was also stocking everyday clothing and equipment for walkers,shooters,fishermen as well as general workwear.
The business grew rapidly during the recession of 1989-91 as people were very short of money and could dress in Army gear quite cheaply,so surplus became fashionable in all walks of life from students to bikers,mods,scooterists,in fact everybody had a parka,some army pants and a pair of para boots in those days....
There were years in the millenium where kit became scarcer,prices went up so fashion poularity became less,yet there was still always a demand for what was available.Now we are in a real recession again - will everybody start to dress down in Army Surplus again?Have a look around the online store at what there is,it may suit you! BazzerTheQM
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