The BEX Bait and Tackle store in Sailmakers Shopping Centre has changed its name to The Military Unit.
The shop, owned by Becky Eaks and Stuart Mill, moved into its current unit, the former post office, in 2022, which has allowed them to display a wider range of products and have more space.
They soon found that the shop’s offering of camouflage and military ware was really reeling in customers.
Becky said: “We were getting a lot of requests when we were BEX Bait and Tackle for more camouflage and military products and it just grew from there.
“There are a few bait and tackle shops in the area anyway, so we moved towards military, cadets, camping and surplus.”
The Military Unit has partnered up with Dean Reeve from Gorse Military Surplus in Thetford, as well as getting supplies from Roger Granville at KombatUK.
Becky continued: “Since focusing on military products, we’ve had a lot of cadets come to us and the military college in Ipswich (MPCT Military Academy), we are making links with them.
“We are meeting new people and new groups and it’s all really interesting.
“We are also getting people who just like camouflage products because it is a fashion statement and a unique style.
“We sell clothes that you won’t find anywhere else, you wouldn’t bump into someone wearing the same thing in the street and I think that’s why people like it.
“We are new to the sector but Dean from Gorse Military Surplus has been a great supply source and support for information.
“The surplus compliments the existing wide range of clothing and accessories, giving customers an opportunity to create their own individual style, to stand out from the crowd.”
The Military Unit is based on the first floor of Sailmakers Shopping Centre, in the old post office.
